Anti-Criticality Methods for Nuclear Thermal Rocket Launches and Their Associated Assembly/Disassembly in Space

Brandon Wilson, Julia Cline, Kaylin Borders, Pavel Shilenko, N. Dianne Bull Ezell

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

When launching a nuclear reactor into space for use in a nuclear thermal rocket (NTR), public safety is crucial. Ensuring that the reactor will not go critical in an accident scenario is the biggest risk that must be mitigated to protect the public. Use of anti-criticality devices and methods, such as the use of poison materials in the core or loading a select portion of the fuel on orbit, can prevent the reactor from going critical in any accident scenario. However, both methods (i.e., unpoisoning and loading fuel into the reactor core on orbit) will likely require the use of In-Space Assembly and Manufacturing (ISAM) technology to remove those safeguards and ensure the reactor is fully operational before use. This paper discusses the use of ISAMs to help with the unpackaging of anti-criticality devices on orbit, along with ISAMs’ ability to help verify and perform maintenance and inspection checks of the reactor system before operation and in between engine burns.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space, NETS 2024
PublisherAmerican Nuclear Society
Pages382-387
Number of pages6
ISBN (Electronic)9780894487989
DOIs
StatePublished - 2024
Event2024 Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space, NETS 2024 - Santa Fe, United States
Duration: May 6 2024May 10 2024

Publication series

NameProceedings of Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space, NETS 2024

Conference

Conference2024 Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space, NETS 2024
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySanta Fe
Period05/6/2405/10/24

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