Nuclear Power Fission and Radioisotope Presented to: Propulsion and Power Panel Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board National Research Council by Joseph J Nainiger Alphaport, Inc March 21, 2011

Presentation Outline NASA’s need for Space Nuclear Power Radioisotope Power Systems Fission Power Systems Nuclear Power Technical Challenges Nuclear Power Infrastructure/Facility Needs

NASA Needs for Space Nuclear Power Radioisotope Power Systems – Planetary robotic landers and rovers (100’s We class) – Outer planet robotic space probes (100’s We class) – Planetary human exploration – powering rovers (1 kWe class) and stand-alone science experiments (i.e., ALSEP – 100’s We) – Power source for robotic spacecraft using electric propulsion (REP - 100’s We class) Fission Power Systems – Outer planet robotic space probes (~ 1 kWe) – Planetary human exploration (base power 10’s kWe) – Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP) Outer planet robotic space probes (100’s kWe) Human exploration (several MWe’s)

Radioisotope Power Systems

5 Past NASA Missions Using RPS Including Moon and Mars Apollo Voyager Galileo Ulysses Cassini Viking Since 1961, 41 RTGs have been used on 23 US space systems.

6 RPS Plays a Vital Role in NASA’s Future For many Science missions, the RPS (power and heat) is enabling. – Most outer planet and beyond spacecraft – Certain solar and inner planet missions – Certain Mars and other surface applications For Human Exploration: – RPS can be fielded to support precursor lander/rover missions. – RPS is an option for entry-level power and heat for human missions and surface operations. Multimission RPS (MMRTG and ASRG) are being developed with NASA SMD funds – MMRTG first flight scheduled on Mars Curiosity Rover launching this year – ASRG first flight opportunity potentially on a Discovery class mission Improved RPSs can be developed to provide full range of capabilities. – Robotic spacecraft and surface missions – Radioisotope Electric Propulsion (REP) – Human planetary surface missions (rovers and/or stand-alone science experiments) Lightweight components are needed to fill technology gaps for RPS system development. – High-efficiency energy conversion (reduce amount of Pu-238 needed) – Heat rejection – PMAD Advanced power conversion technology (Advanced Thermoelectrics, Thermo Photovoltaic – TPV, and Advanced Stirling Duplex) is being funded by NASA SMD

Fission Power Systems

8 U.S. Has Pursued Several Aerospace Nuclear Fission Development Programs Since , Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion Project ANP SNAP-2, 8, 10, 50 MPRE , Medium Power Reactor Experiment , 710 Reactor , Systems for Nuclear Auxiliary Power 1953, “Nuclear Energy For Rocket Propulsion”, R. W. Bussard Rover/NERVA , Nuclear Thermal Rocket SPAR / SP , SP-100 SPR , Adv. Space Nuc. Power Program (SPR) 1965, SNAPSHOT MMW NSI & Prometheus SNTP

9 Significant Space Fission Technology Development Has Been Conducted Space Power – 36 Systems Flown (1 U.S., 35 Russian) – 5 U.S. ground test reactors operated Reactor Systems Nuclear Thermal Propulsion –20 Ground Test Reactors Operated No U.S. Flight and Ground Test Experience Since 1972 U.S. SNAP-10A Russia BUK Russia TOPAZ

10 Fission Technology Enables Or Enhances… Fuel energy densities ~ 10 7 that of chemical systems In-space Power and Propulsion – Power and propulsion independent of proximity to sun or solar illumination Constant power level available for thrusting and braking – Go where you want, when you want Expanded launch windows Enhanced maneuverability Faster trip times / reduced human radiation dose Surface Power – Provides power-rich environments Telecom Habitat Insitu Resource Utilization / Propellant Production (ISRU / ISPP) – Enables planetary global access – Enables Lunar overnight stays Fission power non-nuclear component and system technology is being developed by NASA’s Office of Chief Technologist (OCT) “Game-Changing” Program (formerly developed by ESMD ETDP)

11 Fission Power Summary Fission power and propulsion enable/enhance key elements – Surface power & NEP cargo for long-duration human lunar missions – NEP for cargo missions to Moon and Mars – Surface power & NEP for human Mars surface missions Current NASA fission project is addressing non-nuclear subsystem development and non-nuclear system testing and could be fielded in the timeframe of this study – The nuclear design is based on state-of-practice terrestrial nuclear fuels (UO2) and materials (SS) – Increased DOE participation needed to address the nuclear reactor and shielding MWe systems can be fielded only IF aggressive and sustained technology development efforts are increased immediately… – Fuels – Materials – Shielding – Power Conversion – Power Management & Distribution (includes NEP Power Processing) – Heat Rejection – Propulsion Significant, but dated technology base exists Technology (knowledge and art) recapture will be a key Infrastructure development can pace technology development Opportunities exist to leverage technology investments

Nuclear Power Technical Challenges Radioisotope systems – Lightweight components (power conversion, heat rejection, PMAD) – High efficiency power conversion (reduce amount of PU-238 ) – Sub-kW electric propulsion sub-system (for REP) – Infrastructure (separate chart) Fission Systems – Infrastructure reestablishment (separate chart) – Technology capture (SP-100, JIMO) – High temperature fuels and materials (especially for NEP applications) – Shielding – Autonomous control – Lifetime – Dynamic power conversion – Heat rejection – PMAD – High power thruster technology (for NEP) – Ground Testing (subsystems and systems)

Nuclear Power Infrastructure/Facility Needs Radioisotope Systems – Domestic production of Pu-238 (5 kg/year)*** – Increase capabilities to assemble larger RPSs Fission Systems – Fuels and materials fabrication – Fuels & materials irradiation facilities – Physics criticals facilities – Ground test facilities – Fast-spectrum Test Reactors – Large EP thruster test facilities – Vehicle integration facilities – Launch site facilities – Fuel & reactor shipping & transportation facilities *** CRITICAL NEED