The concept of a human rated transport vehicle for various near earth missions is evaluated using a liquid hydrogen fueled Bimodal Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (BNTP) approach. In an effort to determine the preliminary sizing and optimal propulsion system configuration, as well as the key operating design points, an initial investigation into the main system level parameters was conducted. This assessment considered not only the performance variables but also the more subjective reliability, operability, and maintainability attributes. The SIZER preliminary sizing tool was used to facilitate rapid modeling of the trade studies, which included tank materials, propulsive versus an aero‐capture trajectory, use of artificial gravity, reactor chamber operating pressure and temperature, fuel element scaling, engine thrust rating, engine thrust augmentation by adding oxygen to the flow in the nozzle for supersonic combustion, and the baseline turbopump configuration to address mission redundancy and safety requirements. A high level system perspective was maintained to avoid focusing solely on individual component optimization at the expense of system level performance, operability, and development cost.
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20 January 2006
SPACE TECH.& APPLIC.INT.FORUM-STAIF 2006: 10th Conf Thermophys Applic Microgravity; 23rd Symp Space Nucl Pwr & Propulsion; 4th Conf Human/Robotic Tech & Nat'l Vision for Space Explor.; 4th Symp Space Coloniz.; 3rd Symp on New Frontiers & Future Concepts
12-16 February 2006
Albuquerque, New Mexico (USA)
Research Article|
January 20 2006
Bimodal Nuclear Thermal Rocket Sizing and Trade Matrix for Lunar, Near Earth Asteroid and Mars Missions
David R. McCurdy;
David R. McCurdy
1QSS Group Inc., 21000 Brookpark Rd/MS GES‐QSS, Cleveland, OH, 44135
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Thomas M. Krivanek;
Thomas M. Krivanek
2aEngine Systems Branch, NASA Glenn Research Center, 21000 Brookpark Rd/MS 86‐15, Cleveland, OH, 44135
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Joseph M. Roche;
Joseph M. Roche
2bSystems Engineering Services & Advanced Concepts Branch, NASA Glenn Research Center, 21000 Brookpark Rd/MS 86‐15, Cleveland, OH, 44135
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Reza Zinolabedini
Reza Zinolabedini
1QSS Group Inc., 21000 Brookpark Rd/MS GES‐QSS, Cleveland, OH, 44135
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AIP Conf. Proc. 813, 827–836 (2006)
Citation
David R. McCurdy, Thomas M. Krivanek, Joseph M. Roche, Reza Zinolabedini; Bimodal Nuclear Thermal Rocket Sizing and Trade Matrix for Lunar, Near Earth Asteroid and Mars Missions. AIP Conf. Proc. 20 January 2006; 813 (1): 827–836. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2169265
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