Posted on 01/12/2021 11:56:59 AM PST by BenLurkin
This new research contract will see planetary scientists work together to explore the game-changing potential of nuclear power as a more plentiful source of energy, capable of making possible deeper space exploration in the decades to come.
Nuclear propulsion, which would involve channelling the immense energy released in splitting the atom to accelerate propellants, like hydrogen, at huge speeds, has the potential to revolutionise space travel.
By some estimates, this kind of engine could be twice as efficient as the chemical engines that power our rockets today. Spacecraft powered by this kind of engine could, conceivably, make it to Mars in just 3 to 4 months – roughly half the time of the fastest possible trip in a spacecraft using the current chemical propulsion.
Nuclear space power is anticipated to create new skilled jobs across the UK to support the burgeoning UK space economy.
Science Minister Amanda Solloway said:
“As we build back better from the pandemic, it is partnerships like this between business, industry and government that will help to create jobs and bring forward pioneering innovations that will advance UK spaceflight.
“Nuclear power presents transformative possibilities for space exploration and this innovative study with Rolls-Royce could help to propel our next generation of astronauts into space faster and for longer, significantly increasing our knowledge of the Universe.”
Dr Graham Turnock, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, said:
“Space nuclear power and propulsion is a game-changing concept that could unlock future deep-space missions that take us to Mars and beyond.
“This study will help us understand the exciting potential of atomic-powered spacecraft, and whether this nascent technology could help us travel further and faster through space than ever before.”
Dave Gordon, UK Senior Vice President, Rolls-Royce Defence said:
“We are excited to be working with the UK Space Agency on this pioneering project to define future nuclear power technologies for space. We believe there is a real niche UK capability in this area and this initiative can build on the strong UK nuclear network and supply chain.
“We look forward to developing this and other exciting space projects in the future as we continue to develop the power to protect our planet, secure our world and explore our Universe.”
It would not just mean a time saving – it would also radically reduce the dose of radiation taken on by astronauts that would be making future trips to Mars or other planets. The size of the dose increases the longer you spend in deep space, away from the bubble of protection given by the Earth’s magnetosphere.
The appeal of a small nuclear power generator for propulsion also comes from the fact that power in space becomes increasingly precious with distance from the Sun. In the outer Solar System, sunlight gets too dim for solar panels, and other technologies like fuel cells are often too patchy as a source of energy.
Nuclear propulsion is an idea that has existed since the 1950s, when the United States attempted to develop a rocket propelled by small atomic bombs tossed out the back.
Very much doubt that man will reach Mars safely and return without nuclear propulsion. US Navy nuclear technology is really what Musk and Space X needs.
Splitting the Atom sounds like a real accomplishment but they don’t actually split any atoms. The atoms don’t even really split. The lose neutrons and protons from their nuclei which might be whole helium atoms but that really happens by itself. The only real work that people can do to make nuclear reactions occur is to concentrate unstable elements so that when the neutrons and protons come off they hit atoms nearby causing them to become unstable. The reactions follow each other.
This is how Iran is building nuclear weapons. They take natural uranium and concentrate the less stable isotopes so that they can cause chain reactions which won’t really happen without concentration.
Because a 1000 ton pressurized water reactor driving steam turbines is just the ticket for interplanetary space travel. There is a reason that SPACEX uses LOX and kerosene.
“Rolls-Royce and UK Space Agency launch study into nuclear-powered space exploration.”...and then demanded that President Trump be impeached and all of his supporters be jailed for terrorism.
What is surprising is that the idea has gotten so little traction before now and even now the interest is far less than it ought to be.
Our military navies have decades of safe experience with small reactors for transportation - submarines and aircraft carriers.
Yet, given the heavy weight of those power plants, we first might need to be planning on two stage long distance manned space flight.
The first stage would be on some sort of reusable vehicles that spend most of their fuel on a trip up to very high earth orbit where waits a space docking station for longer range space vehicles.
Those longer range vehicles will stay there for maintenance as well and avoid the heavy lifting costs of getting back to earth orbit.
The short range vehicles will need far less fuel to safely ferry their passengers and payloads back to earth than they needed to get to the orbiting docking station.
It is at that docking station the second stage would begin, using nuclear powered vehicles that will not need additional fuel to make many long range round trip space voyages. Keeping the reactors from overheating will use the cold void of space instead of seawater. Those longer range vehicles will stay there at the docking station for maintenance and awaiting subsequent voyages, avoiding the heavy lifting costs of getting back to earth orbit again.
Many science fiction writers already figured out what it has been taking NASA so long to admit.
Using what as reaction mass?
It may be a bit difficult keeping a nuclear unit cooled without adequate liquids in space, but nuclear “thrust” technology that does not require steam turbines is applicable to space travel within this solar system. Nuclear thrust propulsion theoretically will replace turbines and propellars.
Yes, but none of that is naval nuclear propulsion expertise.
British hinted about a nuclear drive in their Space 1999 series.
The “Queller Drive”, an atomic engine that generates fast neutrons which are inimical to many life forms. To quote the episode “(the fast neutrons are) spewed out into space, annihilating everything in their path. You’d survive better standing smack in the middle of a nuclear explosion.” Voyager’s sister craft, Voyager Two, proved this when an accident with its Queller Drive destroyed a lunar colony.
Yeah, heating liquid hydrogen makes sense.
Nuclear thermal rockets. Yawn.
Wake me up when someone tries to build a Nuclear Salt-Water Rocket. Now that would be a proper Epstein drive.
I see you beat me to it.
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