Publications Details

Ground test facilities for evaluating nuclear thermal propulsion engines and fuel elements

Allen, G.C.; Beck, D.F.; Harmon, C.D.; Shipers, L.R.

Interagency panels evaluating nuclear thermal propulsion development options have consistently recognized the need for constructing a major new ground test facility to support fuel element and engine testing. This paper summarizes the requirements, configuration, and design issues of a proposed ground test complex for evaluating nuclear thermal propulsion engines and fuel elements being developed for the Space Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (SNTP) program. 2 refs.