Questions tagged [nuclear]
Questions regarding the use of nuclear devices in space exploration, e.g. to power or propel spacecraft.
109
questions
3
votes
2
answers
270
views
Is there a rocket that is publicly in the process of being certified to carry nuclear payloads to space?
As it currently stands in the US, only 1 rocket has the proper certification to carry a nuclear payload to space, and that is Atlas 5. (At least, this was my last knowledge). Atlas is nearing end of ...
- 121k
11
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Could a Nuclear-Thermal turbine keep a winged craft aloft on Titan at 5000m ASL?
It's what it sounds like: Given the output of the NASA nuclear reactor (the one they're going to use for the Artemis program), and the use of an electric-motor-driven turbine system, how feasible is a ...
- 991
13
votes
1
answer
4k
views
How does NASA have permission to test a nuclear engine?
In this article on nasa.gov (https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-darpa-will-test-nuclear-engine-for-future-mars-missions) it mentions that NASA will test a nuclear rocket engine for future crewed ...
- 4,710
-1
votes
2
answers
182
views
1 kiloton nuclear device to clear up debris and dust to expose the iron-nickel core for open-pit mining (on M-Type asteroids)?
My understanding is that initial acceleration from the blast and following solar wind will clear the area around the asteroid for spacecraft navigation (in reasonable time). A 2-3 kilometer M-type ...
anon
-4
votes
2
answers
198
views
Can Nuclear Pulse Propulsion (Project Orion) accelerate a 100,000 ton M-type (metallic) asteroid to a LEO? [closed]
Project Orion: specific impulse in the range of 6,000 seconds.
For example – Starship Interplanetary (SpaceX):
Max Fuel (after refueling at orbit) - 1,950 ton
Fuel left after arriving at NEO asteroid –...
anon
8
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Lunar nuclear power system - how can hydrogen generated on the Moon be liquefied?
In September 2020, NASA asked for proposals for a lunar nuclear power system.
The 10-kW water electrolysis system can create 5-10 tons of hydrogen in a week from the Moon’s surface ice.
How would you ...
7
votes
3
answers
306
views
Can we dig for air pressure on Mars?
Digging 8km under the lowest point on Mars will get us Mount Everest conditions for air pressure.
I was thinking of two ways of doing said title:
Nuclear powered bulldozers working around the clock ...
- 83
3
votes
2
answers
385
views
Solid Core Antimatter Engines: Do they have a point?
On the graph discussed in this question, I was surprised to see "antimatter" listed as one of the engine types... with a disappointing performance equal to solid-core nuclear thermal rockets....
- 8,777
0
votes
1
answer
320
views
Nuclear or Solar power for satellites?
For satellites do they use solar or nuclear for the main power source? I do know that they have both but I do not know which is primary.
for an example: Galileo, does it use solar or nuclear?
- 95
5
votes
1
answer
852
views
What is the relationship (if any) between NASA's Kilopower project and its request for 40 kW reactor designs?
Gizmodo's NASA Wants to Put a Nuclear Reactor on the Moon begins
NASA is teaming up with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory to develop a non-solar power source on the Moon by ...
- 148k
0
votes
0
answers
140
views
Realistic cost of pulse units for nuclear pulse propulsion?
Nuclear pulse propulsion https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Orion_(nuclear_propulsion) was believed to be - by it proponents - far superior to chemical propulsion. Either because max. delta v you ...
- 530
11
votes
1
answer
312
views
How much is known about those liquid metal droplets orbiting the Earth? (e.g. sizes, composition, orbits...) Are any actually tracked?
The question Orbit Guardians - bs, right? mentions a company proposing a smallsat that will capture then give a roughly 200 m/s retrograde "kick" to liquid metal NaK alloy droplets in LEO ...
- 148k
4
votes
1
answer
65
views
Temperature Differences on Satallites
Some satellites have radioisotope thermal generators. To convert thermal energy to electricity, a temperature difference is required (such as when using a thermocouple). How is a temperature ...
- 41
1
vote
0
answers
58
views
Highest frequencies of EMPs in space
When a nuke detonates, an EMP at about 100 MHz followd. A pulsar on the other hand, has a comparatively low frequency, and while I know that this frequency depends on its spin and doesn't represent ...
- 237
3
votes
1
answer
259
views
Cooling the nozzle extension of a nuclear salt water rocket (NSWR)
The nuclear salt water rocket(NSWR) uses a plutonium salt (at least to my understanding) dissolved in water as its fuel. The mixture is kept stable by filling the fuel tank with boron carbide, which ...
- 812
7
votes
1
answer
993
views
Are nuclear thermal engine designs limited to about twice the Isp of existing chemical rocket engines? If so, why; what's the limiting factor?
Discussion below With Ultra Safe Nuclear engines and hydrogen propellant, how far to Mars could you get and still be able to return to Earth in an emergency? including a comment that suggests that the ...
- 148k
2
votes
1
answer
197
views
With Ultra Safe Nuclear engines and hydrogen propellant, how far to Mars could you get and still be able to return to Earth in an emergency?
The NPR news item (audio + transcript) Could Nuclear Power Aid In Travel To Mars? contains the following:
VISHAL PATEL: If you want to go to Mars, nuclear is a smart choice.
BRUMFIEL: Vishal Patel is ...
- 148k
3
votes
2
answers
187
views
Are power nuclear reactors (including advanced designs) really vastly less "aggressive" in design than NTR cores?
It is my understanding that solid-core nuclear thermal rocket reactors are extremely aggressive designs that operate at the limits of materials and have an incredibly high specific thermal power.
Do ...
- 8,777
6
votes
2
answers
290
views
Legality of nuclear debris field on the Moon?
A while ago, I asked about what happens to a nuclear engine that gets smashed into the Moon. While not conclusively answered, it's likely that the contaminated area would be of significant size.
But ...
2
votes
0
answers
64
views
What are the nuclear energy challenges specific to the moon?
What are moon specific hurdles to a fission reactor?
low gravity
no atmosphere
Apparently it's more difficult to shed heat in a vacuum. Are some coolants more advantageous on the moon than others?
...
-2
votes
1
answer
185
views
Dispose Earth's nuclear wastes towards the sun [duplicate]
If rockets are reliable, can we throw our nuclear wastes towards the sun? The sun's gravity and it's internal energy will do the rest.
- 1,175
1
vote
1
answer
106
views
Is "nuclear electrothermal" a recognized term for a specific technology?
Is the term "nuclear electrothermal" recognized as referring to a specific type of propulsion technology (specifically, the nuclear thermal rocket with heat engine and arcjet afterburner)?
- 8,777
2
votes
1
answer
252
views
Options for (high-thrust) RCS with Isp beyond that of chemical?
There are a number of potential options for high-performance engines in the future: nuclear pulse propulsion, NTR, gas-core NTR, nuclear electrothermal, and potentially even fusion rockets.
However, ...
- 8,777
4
votes
2
answers
139
views
How do large thermonuclear explosions on the ground affect satellites in LEO?
High altitude nuclear explosions will completely render electronic devices on the ground useless (unless protected, with lead coating for example).
How are satellites affected by such explosions?
...
- 5,324
6
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Would capture of a uranium-rich asteroid open new possibilities?
It seems that energy production in space is a limiting factor. We can use photovoltaics, but they're of minimal value past Mars, and many interesting places (like the moon) have very long nights. The ...
- 451
9
votes
2
answers
609
views
Could a thermal nuclear propulsion double as a nuclear reactor?
Nuclear thermal propulsion takes hydrogen and introduces it to enriched uranium that then heats up the gas and expels it to create thrust. Could you use also use the uranium to heat up water instead ...
- 978
2
votes
1
answer
216
views
Using recent technology, how much electrical power could a nuclear reactor launchable by a low-level heavy-lift vehicle be developed to produce?
The main purpose behind asking this question is to ascertain the potential power-to-weight ratio of reactors built using modern-derivative technology (i.e. either Generation III derivatives or ...
- 624
3
votes
0
answers
110
views
Can we re-fuel solid-core nuclear thermal rockets?
Most solid-core nuclear rocket designs seem to have a rather short fuel lifetime (and one that wastes most of the uranium or plutonium) due to the buildup of fission products (combined with the very ...
- 8,777
21
votes
3
answers
6k
views
Why do nuclear rockets (e.g. NERVA) have such poor Thrust-to-Weight ratios?
Nuclear fission releases far more energy per kilogram of fuel than conventional hydrocarbon sources. However, proposed nuclear rocket engines like NERVA (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NERVA), while ...
- 227
3
votes
1
answer
410
views
Is the BBC's explanation of nuclear thermal electric propulsion wrong?
The new BBC News item New engine tech that could get us to Mars faster says:
Once Orion has been connected to the transfer vehicle, a nuclear electric rocket would be used to get the crew capsule and ...
- 148k
6
votes
0
answers
279
views
Are DUMBO, TIMBERWIND, and other high-thrust NTRs realistically going to deliver on promises of very high thrust/weight?
Nuclear thermal rockets (NTRs) are notable as the most mature technology (the second-most-mature is Project Orion) to provide both high thrust and higher specific impulse than chemical rockets.
But "...
- 8,777
4
votes
1
answer
502
views
LANTR has been proposed; why not bilateral CHEMANTR?
Normal solid-core nuclear thermal rockets use a nuclear reactor to heat gas (almost always hydrogen, since higher molecular weights cause miserable performance) and expand it through a converging-...
- 8,777
3
votes
3
answers
541
views
Would it be possible to send a nuclear bomb to Europa and make a hole in the ice of more than 11 km?
The idea is to carry an atomic bomb in an orbiter and throw it towards the surface, would it be plausible?
- 149
0
votes
1
answer
123
views
What would be the cost of a thorium reactors at the core of a large starship? [closed]
Thorium is a high power substance that can contains large amounts of energy in a small space. How much would it cost to install and maintain one on a large starship?
As well as using solar panels, ...
- 99
3
votes
1
answer
169
views
Have nuclear explosions in space produced any debris that was subsequently tracked, or did all of them completely self-vaporize?
This answer to Where in the solar system could a nuke be tested without anybody noticing? has got me wondering if nuclear explosions (nuclear tests) in space above Earth ever produced any chunks of ...
- 148k
2
votes
2
answers
514
views
What is the basis of the new Russian nuclear rocket propulsion?
The New York Times' Russia Confirms Radioactive Materials Were Involved in Deadly Blast discusses the potential nuclear aspects of the recent missile test and references several time the possibility ...
- 148k
2
votes
2
answers
524
views
Would a nuclear turbojet with a chemical afterburner be a suitable intermediate between a pure nuclear turbojet and a nuclear thermal rocket?
NOTE: This is not the place to question the fundamental viability of nuclear propulsion in aircraft and spacecraft.
For context, in a spaceplane, the higher speeds you can attain under air-breathing ...
- 624
0
votes
0
answers
38
views
Have nuclear reactors been used in space [duplicate]
Have nuclear reactors ever been used in space as a way for power, instead of solar panels? If not, have any plans for one ever been made?
- 667
1
vote
1
answer
255
views
Can rocket engine like NERVA be used to get into low earth orbit or higher?
I have heard of nuclear propulsion, however I wonder that is it possible for it to launch into space, and if so, how much fuel would it need?
- 667
3
votes
1
answer
630
views
Could a "nuclear turbo-jet" be built?
Being familiar with jet engines myself, I wonder whether a similar device could be built to provide high $I_{\text{sp}}$ and high thrust in vacuum and space. Using the tried-and-true turbojet formula ...
- 1,326
3
votes
1
answer
442
views
Efficiency of a nuclear thermal rocket
I am trying to calculate the specific impulse and thrust of a nuclear thermal engine, given the thermal power of the reactor, the maximum working temperature and the propellant.
I'm calculating the ...
- 133
2
votes
1
answer
237
views
The problem of low level nuclear waste on Mars
How is it planned to handle low level nuclear waste on Mars produced by the use of Kilowpower reactors?
Nothing is mentioned in the Wikipedia article about the resulting waste or spent fuel.
- 113
7
votes
1
answer
326
views
Most recent launch of a nuclear reactor, and current barriers to launching the next one?
This question about Kilopower nuclear reactors got me thinking.
Answer(s) to How many nuclear fission reactors have been launched into space? How many are still there? suggest that most nuclear ...
- 148k
7
votes
1
answer
463
views
What happened to Kilopower generators?
Why are we still using solar power for spacecraft? Would it be possible to replace the giant solar arrays and batteries on spacecraft with Kilopower generators?
- 71
1
vote
1
answer
159
views
Is there enough energy in a rocket nozzle for fission?
How much more energy does the rocket exhaust atom have to have to be before fission can occur to create more thrust? Which exhaust byproduct atom would be the easiest to split?
I understand in ...
- 1
2
votes
1
answer
156
views
Bombing the Moon: how much debris would there be in stable orbit?
If someone had actually nuked the Moon (e.g. here or Bombing Moon and Mars: What would it look like? ), what's the probability of some debris reaching a stable orbit around the Moon?
This would not ...
- 5,475
1
vote
0
answers
47
views
How much CO₂ could the wind through a tunnel within the deposit near the south pole of Mars sublimate?
Within the CO₂ deposit near the south pole of Mars, according to this article 3 subunits have been found with one having the top CO₂ layer of about 300 meters thick covered by a water ice layer with a ...
- 7,493
-1
votes
1
answer
296
views
Will the sinking of a nuclear reactor into the CO$_2$ deposit on Mars cause a huge explosion? [closed]
Within the CO$_2$ deposit near the south pole of Mars, according to this article 3 subunits have been found with one having a top CO$_2$ layer of about 300 meters thick covered by a water ice layer ...
- 7,493
1
vote
1
answer
204
views
Why didn't the NERVA rockets use a higher neutron flux?
One of the big problems with NERVA was that the T/W ratio of the engine alone was hardly above one, making it impossible to use for getting into orbit. Since the power of a nuclear reactor is directly ...
- 168
5
votes
2
answers
240
views
In what ways could a US-based commercial space company legally use nuclear power?
At the moment, commercial usage of space seems to be the next big 'thing' in space exploration. Much of this (tourism, commercial launch companies, etc) will likely use solar power or fuel cell ...
- 1,329