Selection of power plant elements for future reactor space electric power systems

Various types of reactor designs, electric power conversion equipment, and reject heat systems to be used in nuclear reactor power plants for future space missions were studied. The designs included gas cooled, liquid cooled, and heat pipe reactors. For the power converters, passive types such as thermoelectric and thermionic converters, and dynamic types such as Brayton, potassium Rankine, and Stirling cycles were considered. For the radiators, heat pipes for transfer and radiating surface, and pumped fluid for heat transfer with heat pipes as the radiating surface were considered. A heat pipe reactor design, thermoelectric converters, and a heat pipe radiator were selected.