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Tested And Analyzed Fuel Form Candidates For Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Applications, Kelsa Benensky

Nuclear Engineering Reports

First conceived in the 1940s, nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) is a viable and advantageous method of in-space propulsion for crewed missions beyond low earth orbit (LEO). In NTP systems, the heat from fission is transferred to a working fluid (propellant), typically hydrogen (H2), to provide thrust to a rocket via expansion of the propellant through a nozzle. Because of inherently high thrust levels and specific impulse, NTP is considered by many as the preferred form of propulsion for future crewed missions to Mars. In order to satisfy the requirements of MSE 580, this report aims to summarize the efforts of …