Nuclear propulsion
Nuclear propulsion includes a wide variety of propulsion methods that fulfill the promise of the Nuclear Age, including nuclear thermal propulsion, nuclear electric propulsion, and nuclear pulse propulsion. Each method has advantages and disadvantages, and some are more suited to certain types of missions than others.
Nuclear Thermal Propulsion
Nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) uses the heat produced by a nuclear reactor to heat a propellant, which is then expelled to produce thrust. This method has been tested extensively, and was considered for use in the Apollo program. The main advantage of NTP is its high specific impulse, which is a measure of how efficiently a rocket uses propellant. However, the high temperatures involved pose significant engineering challenges.
Nuclear Electric Propulsion
Nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) uses a nuclear reactor to generate electricity, which is then used to power an electric propulsion system. This method has the advantage of being able to operate continuously for long periods of time, making it ideal for long-duration missions. However, the power-to-weight ratio of current NEP systems is low, limiting their usefulness for missions requiring high thrust.
Nuclear Pulse Propulsion
Nuclear pulse propulsion (NPP) involves detonating a series of nuclear explosives behind a spacecraft, which is then propelled forward by the resulting shockwaves. This method was studied under the Project Orion in the 1950s and 1960s. While NPP could potentially provide very high speeds, the practical and political challenges of detonating nuclear explosives in space are significant.
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References
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