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Thermal-hydraulics analysis of a radioisotope-powered Mars Hopper propulsion system

  • Robert C. O'Brien
  • , Andrew C. Klein
  • , William T. Taitano
  • , Justice Gibson
  • , Brian Myers
  • , Steven D. Howe
  • , Robert O'Brien

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Thermal-hydraulics analyses results produced using a combined suite of computational design and analysis codes are presented for the preliminary design of a concept Radioisotope Thermal Rocket (RTR) propulsion system. Modeling of the transient heating and steady state temperatures of the system is presented. Simulation results for propellant blow down during impulsive operation are also presented. The results from this study validate the feasibility of a practical thermally capacitive RTR propulsion system.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationNuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space 2011, NETS-2011
Pages695-702
Number of pages8
StatePublished - 2011
EventNuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space 2011, NETS-2011 - Albuquerque, NM, United States
Duration: Feb 7 2011Feb 10 2011

Publication series

NameNuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space 2011, NETS-2011

Conference

ConferenceNuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space 2011, NETS-2011
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityAlbuquerque, NM
Period02/7/1102/10/11

Keywords

  • Cermet
  • Hopper
  • Mars
  • Nuclear
  • Power
  • RTG
  • Radioisotope

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