Thread by @genejm29

#NASA #NAC #HEO #TIE - Next up..

#NASA #NAC #HEO #TIE _ Why nuclear power and propulsion: The system is well suited for space exploration activities and does share an interest in commercial space.

#NASA #NAC #HEO #TIE - Surface power strategy, want to deliver a qualified flight demo in 2030 and want to transition technology to industry. Looking at a 40Kw scalable system at first. want system to be placed at different lunar surface sites and a 10 year lifetime

#NASA #NAC #HEO #TIE - The motivation is to have the system designed and ready for 2030 and be leveraged for a Mars mission. Currently in tech development, working with #DoE

#NASA #NAC #HEO #TIE Q: Wayne Hale asking about the safety during launch having his experience when launching RTG's. A: There are many components that would inform requirements. Did pivot lower enriched uranium for the design, which enabled wider industry participation. 1/

Already looking at how to launch via the safety requirements and well as the surface safety requirements. Hale: I'm just concerned that if saftey isn't built in you won't have a design that would ever fly.

#NASA #NAC #HEO #TIE George Sowers: These are even safer than the RTG's. Calamono: I assure you when we get to phase 2 the safety requirements will be part of that solicitation. We'll learn form those design efforts.

#NASA #NAC #HEO #TIE I think what Wayne ist trying to say that there needs to be a plan to communicate that to the public, that needs to be a press campagin, and it may become political, which is the LAST thing we need. ( Nancy Ann Budden)

#NASA #NAC #HEO #TIE Status on surface power systems. One of the products they will provide is the cost and schedule for system delivery. Design reviews for IM and Westinghouse, and Review from Lockheed are coming shortly. Final delivered

#NASA #NAC #HEO #TIE - Current highlights: Currently formulating plans for the flight units, launch safety and mission execution, carrying govt reference design to help industry with thier activity, materials that will reduce weight, looking at interindustry stakeholders as well

#NASA #NAC #HEO #TIE - nuclear prop stratagem, DoD is also looking at this for their missions. May use some of the tech used for the fission surface system. Have an activity going on now looking at launch compliance, such as making the public aware and what NASA's plans are.

#NASA #NAC #HEO #TIE CFM - Cryo fluid management

#NASA #NAC #HEO #TIE - Not looking at the large thrust levels that we'll need for Mars but looking at this thus far for a lunar mission. will advance technologies in a cis-lunar domain and mitigate tech risks for a Mars Transit vehicle.

#NASA #NAC #HEO #TIE Expect an NTP test perhaps in 2027, looking at NEP - collaborations. On the NTP side, we're engaged with the industry now. ( placard 2) these were 1-year efforts that completed an NTP design, a paper study. Looking to get into hardware design.

#NASA #NAC #HEO #TIE - Where are we today? This is something we can use and work with industry on want to turn this into something that would be reliable for a Mars demo mission. Demo will be a prototype & not an operational system, will be a pathfinder for regulatory system too

#NASA #NAC #HEO #TIE - Want to demo that the reactor can power up & down, want to move into the ops of partial low then high thrust levels, want to test higher ISP toward the end, want to understand engine shutdown & restart. & model validation data for ops.

#NASA #NAC #HEO #TIE On the flight demo mission: The engine itself is being desingd to handle the isp levels so that they will perform on a Mars mission. Draco will be a payload, will be placed in a "nuclear safe" orbit. ( decay rate of the orbit would be MUCH longer than ...

...than the decay rate of the materials itself) When that fission reactor leaves Earth, its U235 that has not been fissioned, so it doesn't have the health hazards, so you can be in the same room with the reactor w/out any protection required.

However if you do lose the vehicle at launch and impacts water there is a threat, we're putting mitigations in place to prevent that

#NASA #NAC #HEO #TIE Status on the inflight demonstrations.

#NASA #NAC #HEO #TIE - Did perform fueling testing, with ceramic systems, so far have had some good successes with it. Materials are holding up very well.

#NASA #NAC #HEO #TIE On Nuclear Electric propulsion has divided the engine into 5 elements. Have identified technologies to look at that would enable a human to Mars ability

#NASA #NAC #HEO #TIE current program status. Looking at mission discussions with SMD that would be for surface exploration, is a synergy with AFRL.

#NASA #NAC #HEO #TIE - NASA is reaching out to external agencies for assistance and cooperative efforts. Draco partnership does give DoE and NASA an opportunity to collaborate, investments over the past few years show that demonstrating an NTP rocket is possible.

#NASA #NAC #HEO #TIE Will remain focused on commercial grade enriched fuels, have not come across a challenge that we cannot overcome that we can use these fuels for space systems.

#NASA #NAC #HEO #TIE Formal presentation ends

#NASA #NAC #HEO #TIE Wayne Hale commending the work thus far, will be developing the tech past the point of the engines being demonstrated. His only issue: safety, safety, safety, and having a good public outreach. Good Luck!