Recent Advances in Development of A Robust Tri-Carbide Fueled Reactor for Multi-megawatt Space Power and Propulsion Applications

摘要

Advanced reactors and nuclear fuels are enabling technologies for lower cost, high performance systems for use in future manned missions and cargo transport to the moon or Mars, unmanned explorations of the outer planets, and orbit transfers of satellites or other space-based assets. This research program investigates the development of an ultra-compact and ultra-light reactor design based on an innovative Square-lattice "Honeycomb" (SLHC) uranium tri-carbide fueled core for multi-megawatt space nuclear power and propulsion applications. Recent efforts have focused mostly on testing of mixed uranium/refractory metal, tri-carbide, nuclear fuels―namely (U, Zr, Nb)C.