Decoding Mission Design Problem for NTP Systems for Outer Planet Robotic Missions

Source

UAH PRC Research Database

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Nuclear Technology

Abstract

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.

First Page

S67

Last Page

S73

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1080/00295450.2022.2096388

Publication Date

12-5-2022

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