NASA Kilopower: a modular space/Mars/Moon rated nuclear reactor

[DocM]

A compact, modular nuclear reactor using a Stirling cycle generator. 1-10 kWe per module for starters, scaleable upwards with 40 kWe and 100 kWe being mentioned.  Need a megawatt?  Install an array of Kilopower modules.

 

Headed for larger scale tests later this year, and earlier this year SpaceX's propulsion chief Tom Mueller mentioned Kilopower as a possible option in their plans.

 

Presentation (PDF)

https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20160012354.pdf

 

NASA technical paper (~11 mb)

http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20170002010

 

Quote

 

8. SUMMARY 

 

Science and human missions using fission power sources have been independently studied with positive results. Although scientists have been stifled about proposing kilowatt class missions due to their non-existence over the past 50 years, it is encouraging that the paradigm could be changing with the technology advancement of the Kilopower reactor. Specific interests in fission based nuclear electric propulsion have been acknowledged knowing that the power requirements are realistically outpacing the radioisotope fuel availability and production.Two decadal survey missions using NEP systems were studied by the COMPASS team with the goal of delivering an orbiter around the centaur class object Chiron and a Kuiper Belt Object (KBO). Both studies were able to close the mission objectives with a 7-10kWe Kilopower reactor. These missions are well fitted for space reactors as the power levels are easily achieved with the abundance of Uranium fuel. It’s estimated that many of the decadal survey missions could be achieved and possibly enhanced with nuclear reactors and will be further studied as the Kilopower technology is further developed.

 

The human exploration of Mars will undoubtedly be the 
greatest achievement of the century and is quickly becoming a near term reality. Many of the necessary technologies are already being developed and tested with no exception to nuclear power. The independent studies cited herein have pointed out some of the advantages of nuclear surface power and how the Kilopower reactor can reduce several risks associated with the Martian environment that has been relentless to the solar powered missions. The study concluded that both the ISRU and crew phases of the early Mars missions were easily achieved with several 10kWe Kilopower reactors. The Kilopower based system won the mass and power trades for the crewed missions by a factor or two even at solar favorable sites, which provides additional support for nuclear systems when moving further from the equator. 

The Kilopower reactor is well on its way to surpassing the technology barriers that have existed over the last half century. With a successful completion of the full scale nuclear ground test nicknamed KRUSTY (Kilopower Reactor Using Stirling TechnologY), the technical and programmatic risks for space nuclear power will be significantly reduced in proving that nuclear technologies can be affordably developed and tested. The neutronic verification at full power and temperature for extended periods will provide the needed data for flight system development in the post KRUSTY years. Increased necessity and advocacy for space nuclear power is expected as we expand our presence in the solar system and explore new worlds. It is more a matter of the perseverance required to fully develop a flight-qualified reactor and begin using it.

 

 

 

Edited June 13, 2017 by DocM

[Unobscured Vision]

Well, the Neowin ThinkTank already proposed using Thorium and Molten Salt reactors ... so okay! Let's use what we're already familiar with, open up the other latitudes past 35 degrees for LZ's and get cooking with some nuclear fuel.  And the weight costs aren't bad at all either. We can still haul several dozen nice, big (and now lightweight) ROSA-inspired solar arrays with us to use as backups or even supplemental.

 

I can dig it, maaaaan.  

[FloatingFatMan]

Now this is better, and what's been sorely missing from all these various Mars/Moon plans.  Some actual hardware plans for when you've arrived!  Now get on with building it!

[DocM]

They've been building them at Livermore Labs at the subscale, and they're expected to go to full scale tests later this year or early next year.

 

Base power, Spaceship or probe power - especially for plasma drives - and they can be clustered to get multiples of each modules output.