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This paper presents a literature review of technical papers and reports on mission studies conducted for robotic missions using Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) system for interplanetary missions. The paper outlines the basic principle and design of a nuclear thermal engine including performance assessment of small and large class NTP engines. Robo...
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... NTP system, the heat energy from fission reactor is transferred to the propellant which is then ejected through a De Laval nozzle. A schematic of a nuclear thermal propulsion engine is shown in Figure 1 below 8 . The fuel is injected into the reactor core where it is heated to temperatures of about 2,500 K or above and then ejected via nozzle 9 . ...
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This paper discusses the current challenges of exploration of outer planets and proposes a nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) system for future deep space exploration missions. The mission design problem with respect to the NTP system is presented where it is proposed that NTP-powered missions need to integrate the requirements and constraints of mis...
Citations
... There have been numerous studies which have recognized the capability of NTP to enable missions to the outer planets [46][47][48][49] . However, these conceptual studies either the designed total spacecraft mass to be too low to carry the required scientific instruments or the mission design uses super heavy lift launch vehicle which would exceed the total cost cap of the robotic missions. ...
This paper describes the current research and development effort s currently underway within the United States on Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP), with a particular focus on the Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO) project, a joint effort of the United States Defense Advanced Projects Agency and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. However, to put the DRACO project into context, the prior United States’ prior effort s on NTR are described and the foundation those efforts pro- vided to enable DRACO. The impact of NTP propulsion on both human and scientific exploration of the Solar System will also be discussed. And finally, the topic of advanced NTP propulsion will be addressed, including liquid fuel NTP engines.
... Along with enabling ambitious human missions the technology has also demonstrated its game changing capabilities for planetary science missions to the outer solar system and for cargo/crew delivery to cis-lunar space (Refs. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. With the host of human and robotic missions enabled by the NTP, it is critical to identify the enabling architecture and engine thrust class most suitable for each mission type in the early phase of the technology development program. ...
Nuclear Thermal Propulsion has recently attracted attention as a critical technology towards enabling human exploration of Mars. Recent studies have also demonstrated its unique capabilities towards enabling NASA's Flagship class missions to the outer solar system with higher payload mass and/or reduced trip times. This paper examines the use of nuclear thermal propulsion for planetary science missions by performing engine system trades for multiple NTP engine thrust class and system configurations. The NTP engine system trades for different thrust class (10klbf-25klbf) are assessed for a Jupiter rendezvous mission and parameters such as engine burn duration, IMLEO and trip times are determined.
... Where previous scientific missions have required planetary fly-bys to reach their destination, direct transfer trajectories become viable with NTP. Some of the benefits and challenges of these mission architectures have already been explored, and future analysis will offer conclusions of higher precision [4]. Model-based systems engineering tools are likely to be helpful in this area as well, since mission analysis at this level requires careful consideration of many interdependent variables [5]. ...
... Numerous studies have been conducted toward demonstrating the feasibility of NTP-powered robotic missions for deep space exploration. [16][17][18][19][20][21][22] Among many development challenges such as very high cost and long schedule of completing development, qualification, and production of these engines, NTP systems for science missions have also not been aggressively considered in the past due to their large mass and the inability to launch them on a single ...
This paper discusses the current challenges of exploration of outer planets and proposes a nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) system for future deep space exploration missions. The mission design problem with respect to the NTP system is presented where it is proposed that NTP-powered missions need to integrate the requirements and constraints of mission objective, spacecraft design, NTP system design, and launch vehicle limits into a self-consistent model. The paper presents a conceptual NTP-powered rendezvous mission to Neptune that uses a single high-performance–class commercial launch vehicle to deliver over 2 mT of useful payload in a direct transfer trajectory with total trip time being under 16 years.
... The liquid propellant in the NTP system is heated in the reactor core and propelled through a nozzle to generate thrust for the spacecraft. [6] This type of propulsion system can generate a lot of thrust and a lot of specific impulse. Another benefit of the NTP system is that it can be used to generate onboard electric power. ...
... Using these methods could lead to longer transfer intervals. [6] Meanwhile, Nuclear Thermal Propulsion dramatically reduces the time and provides more competence to a mission. It has been selected for this trajectory as the propulsive method for the spacecraft to perform various maneuvers during different phases of the trajectory such as orbit insertion, inclination change, transfer maneuvers, etc. ...
... Schematic of Spacecraft using NTP System[6] Deep space missions use a variety of trajectory options, including direct transfer through the Hohmann trajectory or planetary gravity assist. To achieve the requisite characteristic energy, orbiter missions to Jupiter utilizing chemical propulsion required many Earth and Venus flybys. ...
Jovian moon Europa has been an intriguing subject for scientists, ever
since its discovery. The icy moon either has an abundance of liquid water or slushy ice
beneath the thick ice crust. Europa is locked by Jupiter's gravity making the same
hemisphere of the moon always face the planet, which makes one side more interactive
with the gravity of Jupiter. Liquid water, appropriate chemical elements, and a source of
energy make it a potential location for finding some form of life.
With the rise of space exploration missions like JUICE and Europa Clipper
missions by ESA and NASA, this is the onset of exploration of Jovian
moons. While conventional methods take a long flight time to reach the extent of the
solar system, the advancement in the field of nuclear propulsion is the future of space
exploration. Nuclear thermal propulsion increases the efficiency of the mission while
not compromising the mission duration owing to high specific impulse and thrust.
This thesis presents preliminary trajectories for fly-by and orbiter missions to
Europa with the use of Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP). The objective is to study the
trajectory phase-wise, including launch, parking orbit, transfers, coasting, planetary
capture, and Europa orbit insertion. The method of patched conics has been used to
design the trajectory phase-wise, while the interplanetary trajectory is the energy-efficient Hohmann transfer. The trajectory has been mathematically modeled on
MATLAB and the variations of the orbital parameters have been analyzed to achieve
optimal values.
... Numerous other contract research reports are not included in the citations below. [67], [68], [69], [70], [71], [72], [73], [74], [75], [ [107], [108], [109], [110], [111], [112], [113], [114], [115], [116], [117], [118], [119], [120], [121], [122], [123], [124], [125], [126], [127], [ [78], [79], [80], [81], [82], [83], [84], [85], [86], [87], [88], [89], [90], [91], [ [95], [96], [97], [98], [99], [100], [101], [102], [103], [104], [105] [134], [135], [136], [ ...
The UAH Propulsion Research Center (PRC) is in its 29th year at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH). The mission of the Propulsion Research Center is to provide an environment that connects the academic research community with the needs and concerns of the propulsion community while promoting an interdisciplinary approach to solving propulsion problems. This paper summarizes recent metrics from academic and research programs that are associated with the PRC. The emphasis this year is describing the graduate student production supported by the PRC over the past 29 years. This assessment identified over 270 theses and dissertations into 9 different propulsion categories. The results accumulated into 207 master’s and 67 Ph.D.s with the highest production rate being 21 degrees per year in 2010. The documents are distributed into categories representing conventional propulsion, advanced propulsion, missile design, air-breathing propulsion, Propulsion Testing, and Propulsion Systems Engineering. About 83% of the graduates are estimated to be U.S. citizens and there was a 20% female graduation rate. For the current year the total research expenditures from fifteen different agencies are anticipated to rise to $3.3 million which is a 33% compared to last year. PRC researchers published over 130 papers last year. The UAH student launch team placed 3rd in the NASA Student Launch national competition this year. The PRC continues to be a resource to accomplish high-quality research, education, and workforce development in propulsion and energy
Autonomous mobile robots are a special class of robotic systems that can move a payload from one location to the other or perform a specific task. They allow efficient, precise, and streamlined workflow that makes human work less arduous. The market and research work related to these robots is increasing in anticipation of industry 5.0, where humans and machines are expected to co-exist and co-work. The future mobile robots are desired to have clean and cost-effective energy sources to have longer operation times and compliance with environmental requirements to allow application in diverse fields. The research on mechanical design, perception, navigation and control has carved out many commercially viable solutions for mobile robots. However, their widespread application is still limited due to the lack of efficient power systems for use in diverse and largely unknown/uncontrolled environments. The current power solutions incur high initial costs and require recharging or refuelling, which makes them unsuitable for unattended long-haul worktimes and cost-effective applications. These drawbacks are major hurdles in the wider applicability of terrain-based mobile robots to new domains and daily life scenarios, which are possible with the existing mechanical, perception, and control technologies. Keeping in view the need for advancement in this field and to gain a better understanding of the current state of the art and future directions, this work summarizes and reviews the energy solutions presented in the literature and used in notable commercially available terrain-based mobile robots. The provided solutions are categorized and discussed while the prospects and research gaps are also highlighted. A comparison of discussed power techniques is also provided, which can serve as a guideline for selecting a robot’s energy source according to the desired requirements.
