3 ms·
These aren't intended to be powerful complex designs like what the navy uses. They're going to be small, simple and low power with as few moving parts as possib
by dotnet00 3y ago
These aren't intended to be powerful complex designs like what the navy uses. They're going to be small, simple and low power with as few moving parts as possible. Probably passively cooled, and having just enough plumbing such that propellant is only heated up when the only way for it to go is out the nozzle.
After all, waste heat is much harder to get rid of in space than here on Earth.
For reference, other space nuclear reactor designs NASA has looked into have been in the lower kilowatts in terms of power output.
Space stuff doesn't yet need the power output relative to size of a modern military reactor, the bigger concern is being reliable and providing stable long term power.