Nuclear space power system analyses for the unmanned Mars round trip
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Authors
Burton, Charles D.
Evans, James A.
Subjects
Advisors
Date of Issue
1965-05-01
Date
Publisher
Princeton University
Language
en_US
Abstract
An analysis was conducted to determine the best nuclear-turboelectric space powerplant to meet the requirements of an unmanned round-trip mission to Mars. The specific masses of both the Brayton cycle and liquid metal Rankine cycle were investigated for power levels from 500 kwe to 1500 kwe . Preliminary vehicle concepts were established and the specific masses of these spacecraft were then used to indicate the relative performance of the propulsion systems. The results of the analysis indicate that the 1500 kwe Brayton cycle space powerplant and its associated spacecraft can perform the selected mission better than the other configurations considered.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering