The Nuclear SpaceThe Nuclear Space

By: Matthew BuzaBy: Matthew Buza

Development of Nuclear SystemsDevelopment of Nuclear Systems Importance of Space Importance of Space

Exploration: moon, mars, Exploration: moon, mars, outer planetsouter planets

Limits of Robotic missions, Limits of Robotic missions, need for manned missionsneed for manned missions

Limits of modern rocketsLimits of modern rockets Use of nuclear as a new Use of nuclear as a new

system, what it offerssystem, what it offers Nuclear for unmanned and Nuclear for unmanned and

manned, and powering manned, and powering alternative modes of alternative modes of transportation (Ionic, RTG, transportation (Ionic, RTG, NTR)NTR)

Why Go?Why Go?

Bring back the hidden dream, no spark.Bring back the hidden dream, no spark. Doubt in NASA, Columbia, Cost?, Need? Doubt in NASA, Columbia, Cost?, Need? Forget that NASA also Aero not just space, most efficient branch of Forget that NASA also Aero not just space, most efficient branch of

government, education/research/materials/technologies/space/aerogovernment, education/research/materials/technologies/space/aero Need for new cheaper, lighter, more powerful system of Need for new cheaper, lighter, more powerful system of

transportation. transportation.

Robots and RocketsRobots and Rockets The human detachment, Robots The human detachment, Robots

can only do so much. No where can only do so much. No where near where we want to study.near where we want to study.

Loss of dynamic science, “On the Loss of dynamic science, “On the go science.”go science.”

Rockets limitations for travel (one Rockets limitations for travel (one pop shop).pop shop).

Chemical rockets a thing of the Chemical rockets a thing of the past, new technologies needed.past, new technologies needed.

Impulses of 400 to 500 sec. Impulses of 400 to 500 sec. Compared to N. 1000- 6000 sec.Compared to N. 1000- 6000 sec.

1 kg of nuclear material has ten 1 kg of nuclear material has ten millions times as much energy as millions times as much energy as 1 kg of chemical material.1 kg of chemical material.

New period (politically) allow for New period (politically) allow for new systems to be developed.new systems to be developed.

Nuclear Systems of the past!!!Nuclear Systems of the past!!! United States and Russia competed with nuclear United States and Russia competed with nuclear

reactors in space, though two paths were taken.reactors in space, though two paths were taken. America went with RTG’s(45/1), while russia(6/36) America went with RTG’s(45/1), while russia(6/36)

dabbled in more small nuclear reactors.dabbled in more small nuclear reactors. What is an RTG? And What type of Nuclear reactor?What is an RTG? And What type of Nuclear reactor? RTGs are lightweight, compact spacecraft power RTGs are lightweight, compact spacecraft power

systems, very reliable. Notsystems, very reliable. Not nuclear reactors, no nuclear reactors, no moving parts. No fission or fusion processes to moving parts. No fission or fusion processes to produce energy. Power through natural radioactive produce energy. Power through natural radioactive decay of plutonium (mostly Pu-238, a non-decay of plutonium (mostly Pu-238, a non-weaponsgrade isotope). Heat generated is changed weaponsgrade isotope). Heat generated is changed into electricity.into electricity.

Nuclear Reactors, small scaled down versions of Nuclear Reactors, small scaled down versions of reactors. Use heating of water or gas to create reactors. Use heating of water or gas to create energy for system.energy for system.

Famous missions with nuclear systems on them. Famous missions with nuclear systems on them. Apollo, Kosomos, Galileo, Cassini, Voyager 1/2 , Apollo, Kosomos, Galileo, Cassini, Voyager 1/2 , Viking 1/2, pioneerViking 1/2, pioneer

What does the Nuke give me?What does the Nuke give me? More power than stored batteries, and large solar cells. More power than stored batteries, and large solar cells.

Weight alone, and size of reactors or RTG’s (1m x .4m dia.)Weight alone, and size of reactors or RTG’s (1m x .4m dia.) Ex: Cassini, 600-700W, 1.6 billion miles, 11 years. RTG(3) Ex: Cassini, 600-700W, 1.6 billion miles, 11 years. RTG(3)

mass: 168kg Solar panels: 1,337kgmass: 168kg Solar panels: 1,337kg Solar panels (4) are 42m X 3.5m, enormous.Solar panels (4) are 42m X 3.5m, enormous. Pro’s: size, no moving parts, easy maneuverabilityPro’s: size, no moving parts, easy maneuverability Con’s: pulbic fear of nuclear, ex: 72 lbs of nuclear material.Con’s: pulbic fear of nuclear, ex: 72 lbs of nuclear material.

“ “It will allow us to go to Neptune, Uranus and Pluto and go in orbit and allows us to think about It will allow us to go to Neptune, Uranus and Pluto and go in orbit and allows us to think about sending missions to other stars. The kinds of missions we’re talking about could not be done without sending missions to other stars. The kinds of missions we’re talking about could not be done without nuclear power” – Ed Weiler NASA space science chief.nuclear power” – Ed Weiler NASA space science chief.

“ “What we are talking about today is not whether we will develop nuclear space power systems, but What we are talking about today is not whether we will develop nuclear space power systems, but whether we will explore our solar system, because without nuclear power, it’s not practical “ – whether we will explore our solar system, because without nuclear power, it’s not practical “ – James Crocker, VP Lockheed Martin. James Crocker, VP Lockheed Martin.

Where too next?Where too next? New political desire for revived New political desire for revived

space program. Administration is space program. Administration is willing to spend the money willing to spend the money needed to get back to the moon needed to get back to the moon and to mars.and to mars.

Questions do arise as manned Questions do arise as manned missions are discussedmissions are discussed• What about the power systems? What about the power systems?

(solar, nuclear, battery)(solar, nuclear, battery)• If new and radical ship, where do If new and radical ship, where do

we build, and how do we get we build, and how do we get there?there?

• Protect crew from reactor Protect crew from reactor radiation, or reactor meltdown.radiation, or reactor meltdown.

What type of transportation, old What type of transportation, old rockets? Or something rockets? Or something newnew??

Rattle and Hum -- the future is nowRattle and Hum -- the future is now Two types of modern methods, and hopes. Nuclear Two types of modern methods, and hopes. Nuclear

electric Propulsion (NEC), and Nuclear Thermal electric Propulsion (NEC), and Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP).Propulsion (NTP).

• Both have been developed extensively by JPL and Both have been developed extensively by JPL and NASA, respectively. NASA, respectively.

NEC, most commonly known as Ionic propulsion.NEC, most commonly known as Ionic propulsion.• Systems runs off energy source, most likely a Systems runs off energy source, most likely a

nuclear reactornuclear reactor• Located on the ship, battery and solar power just Located on the ship, battery and solar power just

not enough.not enough.• Charged ions (inert gas bombarded), causing an Charged ions (inert gas bombarded), causing an

electron from atom to be expelled and then electron from atom to be expelled and then charged particle creates an equal and opposite charged particle creates an equal and opposite ‘push’ on the spacecraft as its ejected out‘push’ on the spacecraft as its ejected out

• Low thrust, but ion engines have very large Low thrust, but ion engines have very large impulse times, which allows for higher speeds in impulse times, which allows for higher speeds in the long run.the long run.

NTP have been developed at NASA since 1959 for NTP have been developed at NASA since 1959 for space applications (NERVA).space applications (NERVA).

• Attempting to create a rocket with an imbedded Attempting to create a rocket with an imbedded nuclear reactor which superheats low molecular nuclear reactor which superheats low molecular mass materials (Hmass materials (H22).).

• Fear is that a rocket failure will cause a nuclear Fear is that a rocket failure will cause a nuclear disaster.disaster.

Future TravelsFuture Travels Price of one mars mission with Price of one mars mission with

chemical rockets is 3 billion, while the chemical rockets is 3 billion, while the thermal-rocket engine was just 1.3 thermal-rocket engine was just 1.3 billion, less than half of the normal billion, less than half of the normal chemical rocket.chemical rocket.

If outer planets are to be explored If outer planets are to be explored nuclear reactors and nuclear devices nuclear reactors and nuclear devices for power and transportation will be for power and transportation will be needed.needed.

If stellar traveling is meant to happen If stellar traveling is meant to happen large impulse ion drives, with larger large impulse ion drives, with larger nuclear reactors will be used.nuclear reactors will be used.

Also new systems cut down on time Also new systems cut down on time spent out, time spent outside of the spent out, time spent outside of the protective covering Earth’s magnetic protective covering Earth’s magnetic field.field.

Safer for the astronaut.Safer for the astronaut.

Nuke Nuke Stress importance of RTG’s, and nuclear reactors for space exploration.Stress importance of RTG’s, and nuclear reactors for space exploration. Understand the world around you, expand the human presence in space. And the Understand the world around you, expand the human presence in space. And the

limitations of modern chemical rockets.limitations of modern chemical rockets. The new propulsion techniques will allow for many more people to travel the solar The new propulsion techniques will allow for many more people to travel the solar

systems (for now). systems (for now). Allow for a more hand’s on, and the dynamic science. The removal of robots, and Allow for a more hand’s on, and the dynamic science. The removal of robots, and

chemical rockets will usher in a new era of planetary exploration.chemical rockets will usher in a new era of planetary exploration.