Potassium Rankine cycle nuclear power systems for spacecraft and lunar-mass surface power
Abstract
The potassium Rankine cycle has high potential for application to nuclear power systems for spacecraft and surface power on the moon and Mars. A substantial effort on the development of Rankine cycle space power systems was carried out in the 1960's. That effort is summarized and the status of the technology today is presented. Space power systems coupling Rankine cycle power conversion to both the SP-100 reactor and thermionic reactors as a combined power cycle are described.
- Publication:
-
Presented at the Nuclear Technologies for Space Exploration
- Pub Date:
- 1992
- Bibcode:
- 1992ntse.reptR..16H
- Keywords:
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- Liquid Metal Fast Breeder Reactors;
- Nuclear Power Reactors;
- Potassium;
- Rankine Cycle;
- Refractory Metals;
- Space Power Reactors;
- Technology Assessment;
- Thermionic Converters;
- Thermodynamic Properties;
- Energy Conversion;
- Lunar Based Equipment;
- Spacecraft Propulsion and Power