High Power MPD Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP) for Artificial Gravity HOPE Missions to Callisto

摘要

The following paper documents the results of a one-year multi-center NASA study on the prospect ofrnsending humans to Jupiter's moon, Callisto, using an all Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP) space transportation systemrnarchitecture with magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thrusters. The fission reactor system utilizes high temperaturernuranium dioxide (UO2) in tungsten (W) metal matrix "cermet" fuel and electricity is generated using advanced dynamicrnBrayton power conversion technology. The mission timeframe assumes on-going human Moon and Mars missions andrnexisting space infrastructure to support launch of cargo and crewed spacecraft to Jupiter in 2041 and 2045, respectively.