20‐kWe Space Reactor Power System Using Brayton Cycle Conversion Available to Purchase

A conceptual design has been defined for a 20‐kW_e Space Reactor Power System (SRPS) using Closed Brayton Cycle (CBC) conversion technology to meet the power requirements of an interplanetary electric propulsion mission. Safety and reliability requirements appropriate for an interplanetary mission are implemented. This design uses many of the elements of the SP‐100 generic flight system, including the lithium‐cooled, fast‐spectrum reactor, but replaces the conductively coupled thermoelectric converters with Brayton Rotating Units (BRUs) and associated fluid handling equipment. The described design implementations are focused on supporting a flight system that could be ready to launch by the end of FY 1998 at the 20‐kW_e power level. In order to meet this schedule at minimum cost, the design embodies demonstrated technologies requiring minimal additional development.