|
m full stop
|
m Added {{convert}}'s
|
||
| (10 intermediate revisions by 8 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Refimprove|date=September 2010}} |
{{Refimprove|date=September 2010}} |
||
|
A '''radioisotope rocket''' or '''radioisotope thermal rocket''' is a type of [[Thermal rocket|thermal]] [[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 [[Nuclear thermal rocket|nuclear thermal rockets]] such as [[NERVA]], but are considerably simpler and often have no moving parts. Alternatively, radioisotopes may be used in a '''radioisotope electric rocket''',<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Schmidt |first1=George R. |last2=Manzella |first2=David H. |last3=Kamhawi |first3=Hani |last4=Kremic |first4=Tibor |last5=Oleson |first5=Steven R. |last6=Dankanich |first6=John W. |last7=Dudzinski |first7=Leonard A. |title=Radioisotope electric propulsion (REP): A near-term approach to nuclear propulsion |journal=Acta Astronautica |date=1 February 2010 |volume=66 |issue=3 |pages=501–507 |doi=10.1016/j.actaastro.2009.07.006 |bibcode=2010AcAau..66..501S |hdl=2060/20110016114 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> in which energy from nuclear decay is used to generate the electricity used to power an [[Spacecraft electric propulsion|electric propulsion system]]. |
||
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 |
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 {{cvt|1500|to|2000|C|F|-2}} 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]] [[Space Shuttle Main Engine]]. |
||
However the amount of power generated by such systems is typically fairly low. Whereas the full "active" reactor system in a [[nuclear thermal rocket]] can be expected to generate over a gigawatt, a radioisotope generator might get 5 kW. This means that the design, while highly efficient, can produce thrust levels of perhaps 1.3 |
However the amount of power generated by such systems is typically fairly low. Whereas the full "active" reactor system in a [[nuclear thermal rocket]] can be expected to generate over a gigawatt, a radioisotope generator might get 5 kW. This means that the design, while highly efficient, can produce thrust levels of perhaps {{cvt|1.3|to|1.5|N|lbf}}, making them useful only for thrusters. In order to increase the power for medium-duration missions, engines would typically use fuels with a short [[half-life]] such as [[polonium-210]], as opposed to the typical RTG which would use a long half-life fuel such as [[plutonium-238]] in order to produce more constant power over longer periods of time.<ref>[http://pdf.aiaa.org/preview/CDReadyMSPACE06_1393/PV2006_7272.pdf AIAA meeting paper comparing fermium, polonium and plutonium as power sources]{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> |
||
Another drawback to the use of radioisotopes in rockets is an inability to change the operating power. The radioisotope constantly generates heat that must be safely dissipated when it is not heating a propellant. Reactors, on the other hand, can be throttled or shut down as desired. |
Another drawback to the use of radioisotopes in rockets is an inability to change the operating power. The radioisotope constantly generates heat that must be safely dissipated when it is not heating a propellant. Reactors, on the other hand, can be throttled or shut down as desired. |
||
==Technology |
==Technology development== |
||
[[TRW Inc.|TRW]] maintained a fairly active development program known as '''Poodle''' from 1961 to 1965, and today the systems are still often known as '''Poodle thrusters'''. The name was a play on the larger systems being developed under [[Project Rover]], which led to NERVA. In April 1965 they ran their testbed engine for 65 |
[[TRW Inc.|TRW]] maintained a fairly active development program known as '''Poodle''' from 1961 to 1965, and today the systems are still often known as '''Poodle thrusters'''. The name was a play on the larger systems being developed under [[Project Rover]], which led to NERVA. In April 1965 they ran their testbed engine for 65 hours at about {{cvt|1500|C|F|-2}}, producing a specific impulse of 650 to 700 seconds (6.5 to 7 kN·s/kg). |
||
==Photon |
==Photon pressure== |
||
{{see also|Nuclear photonic rocket}} |
|||
Even without an exhaust, the [[Radiation pressure|photon pressure]] of the energy emitted by a thermal source can produce thrust, although an extremely tiny amount. |
Even without an exhaust, the [[Radiation pressure|photon pressure]] of the energy emitted by a thermal source can produce thrust, although an extremely tiny amount. A famous example of spacecraft thrust due to photon pressure was the [[Pioneer anomaly]], in which photons from the onboard radioisotope source caused a tiny but measurable acceleration of the Pioneer spacecraft. |
||
The inadvertent photon pressure from a radioisotope source is one of the suggested solutions to the [[Pioneer anomaly]]. The Pioneer space probes are powered by radioisotope thermal generators located on the end of a long arm to keep their radiation away from the spacecraft electronics. In this position the back of the main radio dish is preferentially exposed, meaning that radiation (primarily infra-red) scattered by the dish would tend to be scattered to the rear of the spacecraft. This could lead to a ''tiny'' amount of net thrust being generated, although all calculations to date suggest it is not enough in itself to fully explain the effect.{{Citation needed|date=November 2008}} |
|||
A similar phenomenon occurred on the [[New Horizons]] spacecraft; photons (thermal infrared) from the RTG, reflected from the spacecraft's antenna, produced a very small thrust which propelled the spacecraft slightly off course.<ref>[http://pluto.jhuapl.edu/News-Center/PI-Perspectives.php?page=piPerspective_05_21_2010 New Horizons official website article mentioning the thrust from the RTG]</ref> |
A similar phenomenon occurred on the [[New Horizons]] spacecraft; photons (thermal infrared) from the RTG, reflected from the spacecraft's antenna, produced a very small thrust which propelled the spacecraft slightly off course.<ref>[http://pluto.jhuapl.edu/News-Center/PI-Perspectives.php?page=piPerspective_05_21_2010 New Horizons official website article mentioning the thrust from the RTG]</ref> |
||
 |
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this articlebyadding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
Find sources: "Radioisotope rocket" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (September 2010) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Aradioisotope rocketorradioisotope thermal rocket is a type of thermal 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 nuclear thermal rockets such as NERVA, but are considerably simpler and often have no moving parts. Alternatively, radioisotopes may be used in a radioisotope electric rocket,[1] in which energy from nuclear decay is used to generate the electricity used to power an electric propulsion system.
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 1,500 to 2,000 °C (2,700 to 3,600 °F) are possible in this system, allowing for specific impulses 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 Space Shuttle Main Engine.
However the amount of power generated by such systems is typically fairly low. Whereas the full "active" reactor system in a nuclear thermal rocket can be expected to generate over a gigawatt, a radioisotope generator might get 5 kW. This means that the design, while highly efficient, can produce thrust levels of perhaps 1.3 to 1.5 N (0.29 to 0.34 lbf), making them useful only for thrusters. In order to increase the power for medium-duration missions, engines would typically use fuels with a short half-life such as polonium-210, as opposed to the typical RTG which would use a long half-life fuel such as plutonium-238 in order to produce more constant power over longer periods of time.[2]
Another drawback to the use of radioisotopes in rockets is an inability to change the operating power. The radioisotope constantly generates heat that must be safely dissipated when it is not heating a propellant. Reactors, on the other hand, can be throttled or shut down as desired.
TRW maintained a fairly active development program known as Poodle from 1961 to 1965, and today the systems are still often known as Poodle thrusters. The name was a play on the larger systems being developed under Project Rover, which led to NERVA. In April 1965 they ran their testbed engine for 65 hours at about 1,500 °C (2,700 °F), producing a specific impulse of 650 to 700 seconds (6.5 to 7 kN·s/kg).
Even without an exhaust, the photon pressure of the energy emitted by a thermal source can produce thrust, although an extremely tiny amount. A famous example of spacecraft thrust due to photon pressure was the Pioneer anomaly, in which photons from the onboard radioisotope source caused a tiny but measurable acceleration of the Pioneer spacecraft.
A similar phenomenon occurred on the New Horizons spacecraft; photons (thermal infrared) from the RTG, reflected from the spacecraft's antenna, produced a very small thrust which propelled the spacecraft slightly off course.[3]
|
| |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concepts |
| ||||||||
| Physical propulsion |
| ||||||||
| Chemical propulsion |
| ||||||||
| Electrical propulsion |
| ||||||||
| Nuclear propulsion |
| ||||||||
| External power |
| ||||||||
| Related concepts |
| ||||||||
