Conceptual design for a 5 kWe space nuclear reactor power system

Autor: Huaping Mei, Dali Yu, Shengqin Ma, Jiansong Zhang, Yongju Sun, Chao Chen, Meisheng He, Haixia Wang, Yang Li, Liang Wang, Taosheng Li, Jie Yu
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2024
Předmět:
Zdroj: Nuclear Engineering and Technology, Vol 56, Iss 9, Pp 3644-3653 (2024)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 1738-5733
DOI: 10.1016/j.net.2024.04.015
Popis: Enhancing the capabilities of unmanned space exploration, such as satellite monitoring and space science missions, requires efficient and reliable nuclear power systems. A viable solution is found in the 1–10 kWe power level of space nuclear reactor power systems, offering advantages such as a manageable research and development process, and relatively low investment requirements. This paper introduces a conceptual design for a 5 kWe space nuclear reactor power system, outlining its components and characteristics. The study includes a thorough analysis of potential challenges, encompassing heat pipe failure accidents, re-entry scenarios, and weight estimation considerations. The results demonstrate that the proposed space nuclear reactor power system effectively meets the safety requirements. The total mass of the power system is estimated at approximately 1.5 tons, with a specific mass of around 300 kg/kWe. This research contributes valuable insights for the design of space nuclear reactor power systems operating within a similar power range.
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