Space nuclear power integration studies for a surveillance satellite mission

摘要

A summary is given of the status of reviews and studies that have recently been performed to evaluate the capabilities and limitations of various nuclear power systems for space mission applications in the 5 to 20 kWe range. The goal is to use these power systems for a generic surveillance satellite. The advantages and disadvantages of using nuclear and solar power are discussed. Conceptual 10 kWe designs for a SP-100 derivative, a STAR-C, and a SNAP-DYN(CBC) were used in this study. It is shown that these early-1988 concepts can successfully be integrated with a surveillance satellite spacecraft and its mission objectives.