|
m sp: sytem→system
|
No edit summary
|
||
Line 1:
The '''radioisotope rocket''' is a type of [[rocket engine]] that uses the heat generated by the decay of [[radioactive]] elements to heat a [[working fluid]], which is then exhausted through a rocket nozzle to produce [[thrust]]. They are similar in nature to the [[nuclear thermal rocket]]s such as [[NERVA]], but are considerably simpler and often have no moving
The basic idea is a development of existing [[radioisotope thermoelectric generator]], or RTG, systems, in which the heat generated by decaying nuclear fuel is used to generate power. In the rocket application the generator is removed, and the working fluid is instead used to produce thrust directly. Temperatures of about 1500 to 2000°C are possible in this system, allowing for [[specific impulse]]s of about 700 to 800 seconds (7 to 8 kN·s/kg), about double that of the best chemical engines such as the [[LH2]]-[[LOX]] [[SSME]].
| |||