Thermal Nuclear Propulsion Patrick M. Wise MAS 603 – Aircraft and Spacecraft Development Mr. Dick Hamilton Abstract A few pounds of nuclear fuel can produce many megawatts of power for several years. Provided appropriate safety precautions are taken, NASA believes that space nuclear power systems are fully acceptable. All rockets use a principle called the reaction engine. Chemical rockets already run at temperatures that approach the limits of the materials in the combustion chamber and nozzle. Chemical …showed first 75 words of 2339 total…

…showed last 75 words of 2339 total…Technology”. http://spacelink.nasa.gov/NASA.Projects/Human.Exploration.and.Development.of.Space/Human.Space.Flight/Shuttle/Shuttle.Missions/Flight.031.STS-34/Galileos.Power.Supply/Space.Nuclear.Power.Technology Powell, J. R. (1999). Compact Nuclear Rockets. Scientific American. http://www.sciam.com/1999/0299beardsleybox6.html Rivas, M. L. (1996). Minimum-fuel Lunar Transfers with Engine Switching and Transients. Ames, Iowa: Iowa State University. Stern, D. P. (1999). Far-out Pathways to Space: Nuclear Power. http://www-spof.gsfc.nasa.gov/stargaze/Snucfly.htm