The Kilopower Space Nuclear Fission Power Reactor

[摘要] Nuclear fission power offers an attractive alternative to solar electric or radioisotope power systems for certain applications on the Moon, Mars, and deep space science missions. The advantages of independence from solar irradiance, high energy density, and abundance of fuel allow fission power systems to enable novel, high power mission architectures. While NASA has had numerous fission power programs throughout its history, few have gone far beyond the design phase. The recent test campaign called the Kilopower Reactor Using Stirling Technology project (KRUSTY) focused on a low power, kilowatt-scale design for simplicity and reduced cost, with the driving motivation to perform a full nuclear hardware prototype test. Following the successful completion of the KRUSTY nuclear hardware test in March of 2018, NASA has begun the formulation process for a Technology Demonstration Mission (TDM) using the Kilopower reactor technology. In support of NASA's lunar surface initiatives, the Kilopower TDM will target a 1-3 kW fission electric power system that can survive the lunar night and operate for one year. The system will be heavily influenced by the KRUSTY reactor design, using a solid Uranium metal core with high temperature heat pipes and Stirling engine power conversion. During this formulation phase, continued engineering efforts are ongoing to improve heat transfer efficiency in the system, examine fission radiation damage effects, and begin to address the thermal and structural requirements of a Kilopower flight system.

[发布日期] 2019-05-16

[学科分类] 电子与电气工程

[关键词] COST REDUCTION;DEEP SPACE;ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLIES;FISSION;FLUX DENSITY;HEAT PIPES;HEAT TRANSFER;HIGH TEMPERATURE;NUCLEAR FISSION;PROTOTYPES;REACTOR DESIGN;REACTOR TECHNOLOGY;SOLAR RADIATION;SPACE MISSIONS;SPACE POWER REACTORS;STIRLING CYCLE;STIRLING ENGINES