Space Safety Regulations and Standards

Chapter 26 Safety guidelines for space nuclear reactor power and propulsion systems

Mohamed El-Genk

Chemical and Nuclear Engineering Department, Institute for Space and Nuclear Power Studies, Mechanical Engineering Department, University of New Mexico

Chapter Outline

• Introduction…………………………………320

• Radioisotope Power Systems…………………………………321

• The Case for Space Reactor Power and Propulsion Systems…………………………………324

• Space Reactor Power Systems Design…………………………………325

• Design Choices and Considerations…………………………………326

  • Power system integration…………………………………327

  • Materials selection and consideration…………………………………328

  • Reactor types and energy conversion options…………………………………330

  • Energy conversion options and structure materials………………………………… ...