Gas Core Nuclear Rocket

 nukes, projects, rockets, spacecraft
Mar 082011
 

Not the best quality image (coming from microfilm), but this shows a NASA-Lewis concept for a gas core nuclear rocket engine, circa 1960. Specific impulse was to be 2200 seconds, thrust 98,000 pounds, T/W 0.68, reactor diameter 16.6 feet, overall reactor length, 16.6 feet. The fuel would reach 20,000 degrees R, while the Hydrogen would get to 10,000 degrees R.

 Posted by at 1:19 am

  One Response to “Gas Core Nuclear Rocket”

  1. Michel Van says:
    March 8, 2011 at 11:05 am

    interestingly, here the lettering FUEL and PROPELLANT last is hydrogene
    but how is Fuel (Uranium hexafluoride? ) handled:
    pump with trubopumps from fueltank into engine or pressure feed ?
    and who is fuel stored under control and cooled ?

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