USAGE OF NUCLEAR POWER AS A POWERFUL SOURCE FOR SPACE STATIONS AND FOR SPACE DEVELOPMENT MISSIONS

摘要

With the advent of the space age, the process of creating High Earth Orbit space stations as well as solar systemoutposts on various planets has become a real possibility in the near future. In this paper, we are trying to address theissue of space stations' power requirements and issues associated with conventional methods. To overcome certaindifficulties with power requirements, nuclear power sources will be more advantageous in long term point of view.In space, it is essential to have extensive support to create power for the various requirements such as life support,communications, waste removal, etc. Thus, functional power sources are needed that can function in long term. Dueto its basic properties, chemical or thermal means of generating electricity would be quite difficulties in microgravityconditions. Moreover, it would create several control and stability issues as well, too. However, with the availabilityof a nuclear reactor, all of the power requirements in a space based station with microgravity or reduced gravityconditions can be met for several years without any difficulty. Nuclear reactor power systems can support humanexploration at surface outposts and space stations. A nuclear reactor on the surface of the Moon or Mars can be asource of reliable power to provide life support, and to supply the large power demands of facilities processingmaterials. Power levels for surface and space side life support systems are approximately equivalent. This can beachieved with the development of closed-loop Stirling cycle nuclear power systems, which are four times aspowerful as the radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) used on past missions. It will increase the options toimprove the conditions for experiments in space and due to which we can install power full systems to study moreabout space and also we can initiate programs for Moon as well as for Mars. For these kinds of designs, the majorissue is designing a controlled fission reaction in the space with microgravity conditions along with radiationshielding. The paper also addresses the issue of future requirements of power in space stations due to attention onspace programs by various nations. Capacity addition to the present designs is also one of the considerations withthis work. With proper use of nuclear facilities that are suitable for microgravity and reduced gravity conditions, itcan be possible to create enough energy to meet all the needs of space development. However, the available optionsneed to be analyzed carefully in order to make sure that the most suitable nuclear energy supply can be used.