Thrust-Sheet Propulsion Concept Using Fissionable Elements | Zendy

W E Moeckel | Zendy

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Thrust-Sheet Propulsion Concept Using Fissionable Elements

Author(s) -

W E Moeckel

Publication year - 1977

Publication title -

aiaa journal

Language(s) - English

Resource type - Journals

SCImago Journal Rank - 0.828

H-Index - 158

eISSN - 1081-0102

pISSN - 0001-1452

DOI - 10.2514/3.60651

Subject(s) - propulsion , thrust , spacecraft propulsion , aerospace engineering , fission , fissile material , propellant , thermal , ion thruster , nuclear engineering , physics , engineering , nuclear physics , neutron , meteorology

A space propulsion concept is proposed and analyzed which consists of a thin sheet coated on one side with fissionable material, so that nuclear power is converted directly into propulsive power. Thrust is available both from ejected fission fragments and from thermal radiation. Optimum thicknesses are determined for the active and substrate layers. This concept is shown to have potential mission capability (in terms of velocity increments) superior to that of all other advanced propulsion concepts for which performance estimates are available. A suitable spontaneously fissioning material such as Cf-254 could provide an extremely high-performance first stage beyond earth orbit. In contrast with some other advanced nuclear propulsion concepts, there is no minimum size below which this concept is infeasible.

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