Comparing Nuclear Propulsion Technologies for Crewed Missions to Mars

Nisha Khan

$52.95 $45.21

Paperback

Not in-store but you can order this
How long will it take?

Availability Information

We source books from suppliers in Australia and overseas. For books we don't currently have in stock, the time it takes to get them from our suppliers can vary widely - from a few days to a few months - so we check each book with each supplier to determine the expected time it will take to be supplied to us.

We then advise you accordingly. If the time taken to get any book is too long for you, you can let us know and we will cancel or adjust your order, and refund as required.

To find out the anticipated arrival time for specific items prior to ordering, please contact us by phone or email:

Phone +61 2 9264 3111, or 1800 4 BOOKS (1800 4 26657) if outside Sydney:
option 1 Abbey's Bookshop (Crime, History, Science, Kids & more) • info@abbeys.com.au
option 2 Language Book Centre (ESL & Foreign Languages) • language@abbeys.com.au
option 3 Galaxy Bookshop (Sci-fi, Fantasy, Romance, Graphic Novels) • sf@galaxybooks.com.au

QTY:

English

Self
05 October 2023

Nuclear medicine; Medical imaging; Radiology; Radiography; Nuclear power & engineering

Summary
Details

Comparing Nuclear Propulsion Technologies for Crewed Missions to Mars

Current chemical propulsion systems are limited in their ability to support crewed missions to Mars due to their low propellant efficiency and long mission times. Nuclear propulsion technologies offer a potential solution to these challenges, as they are capable of producing higher thrust and propellant efficiency than chemical rockets.

This paper compares three nuclear propulsion technologies for crewed missions to Mars: nuclear electric propulsion (NEP), nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP), and nuclear fusion propulsion (NFP). Each technology has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the best choice for a crewed Mars mission will depend on a number of factors, including mission requirements, cost, and risk.

NEP systems are the most mature of the three technologies, and they have already been used successfully in a number of space missions. NEP systems use a nuclear reactor to generate electricity, which is then used to power an electric thruster. NEP systems are very efficient, but they produce relatively low thrust. As a result, NEP systems require longer mission times than other nuclear propulsion technologies.

NTP systems are less mature than NEP systems, but they offer the potential for higher thrust and shorter mission times. NTP systems use a nuclear reactor to heat a propellant gas, which is then expelled through a nozzle to produce thrust. NTP systems are more efficient than chemical rockets, but they are also more complex and expensive to develop.

NFP systems are the most advanced of the three technologies, but they are also the most speculative. NFP systems would use the fusion of atomic nuclei to generate energy, which could then be used to power a variety of propulsion systems. NFP systems have the potential to offer even higher thrust and shorter mission times than NTP systems, but they are still in the early stages of development.

By: Nisha Khan
Imprint: Self
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 152mm, Spine: 7mm
Weight: 191g
ISBN: 9788196659400
ISBN 10: 8196659407
Pages: 136
Publication Date: 05 October 2023
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active