Space Zoo Patrol – Space Nuclear Propulsion

By Andrea Harris, BWX Technologies

  1. What is the name of the technology? 

Space Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP)

  1. What does it do?

Our NTP project with NASA focuses on nuclear fuel design and engineering activities to get astronauts to Mars and back safely and quickly.

  1. How does it work?

A liquid propellant (like hydrogen) is pumped through a nuclear reactor core. When this happens, uranium atoms split apart inside the core and release heat through fission. This process heats up the propellant and converts it to a gas, which expands through a nozzle to produce a high level of thrust that propels the spacecraft twice as efficiently as chemical rockets. NTP systems will not be used on Earth, but rather launched into space by chemical rockets and then turned on to produce the necessary amount of thrust.

  1. How is it better than the older technology?

Using NTP instead of chemical propellants can cut travel time to Mars significantly, thereby reducing the crew’s exposure to cosmic radiation.

  1. What classes should I take in school to work on this?

Chemistry, physics, calculus, electrical engineering, thermodynamics, nuclear science, nuclear engineering, radiological safety.

 

Space Nuclear Propulsion 1

NTP Rocket