Search results
Results From The WOW.Com Content Network
A nuclear electric rocket (more properly nuclear electric propulsion) is a type of spacecraft propulsion system where thermal energy from a nuclear reactor is converted to electrical energy, which is used to drive an ion thruster or other electrical spacecraft propulsion technology.
Nuclear-powered rockets are not used to lift off the Earth. Nuclear thermal rockets can provide great performance advantages compared to chemical propulsion systems. Nuclear power sources could also be used to provide the spacecraft with electrical power for operations and scientific instrumentation. [12] Examples:
Examples of concepts that use nuclear power for space propulsion systems include the nuclear electric rocket (nuclear powered ion thruster(s)), the radioisotope rocket, and radioisotope electric propulsion (REP). [6] One of the more explored concepts is the nuclear thermal rocket, which was ground tested in the NERVA program.
Thorton, G (1962-06-28), Comprehensive Technical Report, General Electric Direct-Air-Cycle Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion Program, Program Summary and References, US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), OSTI 1048124. Dreams of Nuclear Flight — The NEPA and ANP programs (PDF), Wisc, archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-06-18
In 2022, the European Space Agency launched an initiative called "Preliminary European Reckon on Nuclear Electric Propulsion for Space Applications" (RocketRoll) and commissioned a consortium of companies to conduct a study on electric thrusters powered by nuclear energy, known as Nuclear Electric Propulsion. The study outlines the roadmap for ...
There are a lot of reasons that a faster spaceship is a better one, and nuclear-powered rocket To safely explore the solar system and beyond, spaceships need to go faster – nuclear-powered ...
The first operation of a nuclear aircraft engine occurred on January 31, 1956 using a modified General Electric J47 turbojet engine. [5] The Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion program was terminated by President Kennedy after his annual budget message to Congress in 1961. [1] The Oak Ridge National Laboratory researched and developed nuclear aircraft ...
A nuclear pulse drive starship powered by fusion-antimatter catalyzed nuclear pulse propulsion units would be similarly in the 10% range and pure Matter-antimatter annihilation rockets would be theoretically capable of obtaining a velocity between 50% and 80% of the speed of light. In each case saving fuel for slowing down halves the maximum speed.