Nerva Program Status

Item

Title
Nerva Program Status
Description
Tests of graphite reactors by the NERVA team and by the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, as well as tests on non-nuclear components, have demonstrated reproducible characteristics and full power durations of up to one hour. Chamber temperatures well in excess of 4000°R have been demonstrated, which, with optimized accessories, correspond to vacuum specific impulses in excess of 800 seconds. Integrated system tests have been conducted in which the reactor, the turbo-pump assembly, the regeneratively-cooled nozzle, and other components have operated satisfactorily in their proper functional relationship over broad areas of the performance map with multiple restarts. Design effort and planning have been initiated to extend the nuclear rocket engine development through Preliminary Flight Rating Test of a man-rated model suitable for useful missions.
Creator
Schroeder, Robert W.
Publisher
Arlington, VA : Air Force Office of Scientific Research
Date
1969
Format
24 pages : ill. ; 28 cm.
Type
article
Abstract
Tests of graphite reactors by the NERVA team and by the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, as well as tests on non-nuclear components, have demonstrated reproducible characteristics and full power durations of up to one hour. Chamber temperatures well in excess of 4000°R have been demonstrated, which, with optimized accessories, correspond to vacuum specific impulses in excess of 800 seconds. Integrated system tests have been conducted in which the reactor, the turbo-pump assembly, the regeneratively-cooled nozzle, and other components have operated satisfactorily in their proper functional relationship over broad areas of the performance map with multiple restarts. Design effort and planning have been initiated to extend the nuclear rocket engine development through Preliminary Flight Rating Test of a man-rated model suitable for useful missions.
Date Issued
1969-12
Extent
24
Corporate Author
Space Nuclear Propulsion Office, Cleveland Extension
Report Number
AFOSR 69-2951TR p. 318-341
Index Abstract
Contrails only
Photo Quality
Incomplete
Distribution Classification
1
Report Availability
Full text available by request
Identifier
AD0703442