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NASA Developing Fission Surface Power Technology

Written by thomas · Filed Under Aeronautics News 

September 10, 2008

thomas

CLEVELAND, Sept. 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — NASA astronauts will
need power sources when they return to the moon and establish a lunar
outpost. NASA engineers are exploring the possibility of nuclear fission to
provide the necessary power and taking initial steps toward a non-nuclear
technology demonstration of this type of system.

A fission surface power system on the moon has the potential to
generate a steady 40 kilowatts of electric power, enough for about eight
houses on Earth. It works by splitting uranium atoms in a reactor to
generate heat that then is converted into electric power. The fission
surface power system can produce large amounts of power in harsh
environments, like those on the surface of the moon or Mars, because it
does not rely on sunlight. The primary components of fission surface power
systems are a heat source, power conversion, heat rejection and power
conditioning, and distribution.

“Our goal is to build a technology demonstration unit with all the
major components of a fission surface power system and conduct non-nuclear,
integrated system testing in a ground-based space simulation facility,”
said Lee Mason, principal investigator for the test at NASA’s Glenn Center
in Cleveland. “Our long-term goal is to demonstrate technical readiness
early in the next decade, when NASA is expected to decide on the type of
power system to be used on the lunar surface.”

Glenn recently contracted for the design and analysis of two different
types of advanced power conversion units as an early step in the
development of a full system-level technology demonstration. These power
conversion units are necessary to process the heat produced by the nuclear
reactor and efficiently convert it to electrical power.

The first design concept by Sunpower Inc., of Athens, Ohio, uses two
opposed piston engines coupled to alternators that produce 6 kilowatts
each, or a total of 12 kilowatts of power. The second contract with Barber
Nichols Inc. of Arvada, Colo., is for development of a closed Brayton cycle
engine that uses a high speed turbine and compressor coupled to a rotary
alternator that also generates 12 kilowatts of power.

“Development and testing of the power conversion unit will be a key
factor in demonstrating the readiness of fission surface power technology
and provide NASA with viable and cost-effective options for nuclear power
on the moon and Mars,” said Don Palac, manager of Glenn’s Fission Surface
Power Project.

After a one year design and analysis phase, a single contractor will be
selected to build and test a prototype power conversion unit. When
complete, the power conversion unit will be integrated with the other
technology demonstration unit’s major components. Glenn will develop the
heat rejection system and provide the space simulation facility. Glenn also
will work in conjunction with the Department of Energy and NASA’s Marshall
Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. Marshall will develop and provide a
non-nuclear reactor simulator with liquid metal coolant as the heat source
unit for the technology demonstration.

A nuclear reactor used in space is much different than Earth-based
systems. There are no large concrete cooling towers, and the reactor is
about the size of an office trash can. The energy produced from a space
reactor also is much smaller but more than adequate for the projected power
needs of a lunar outpost.

Testing of the non-nuclear system is expected to take place at Glenn in
2012 or 2013. These tests will help verify system performance projections,
develop safe and reliable control methods, gain valuable operating
experience, and reduce technology and programmatic risks. This technology
demonstration is being conducted as part of NASA’s Exploration Technology
Development Program.

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