Space Nuclear Fission Electric Power Systems

The Advantages Of Space Nuclear Fission Power Systems Can Be Summarized As: Compact Size; Low To Moderate Mass; Long Operating Lifetimes; The Ability To Operate In Extremely Hostile Environments; Operation Independent Of The Distance From The Sun Or Of The Orientation To The Sun; And High System Reliability And Autonomy. In Fact, As Power Requirements Approach The Tens Of Kilowatts And Megawatts, Fission Nuclear Energy Appears To Be The Only Realistic Power Option. The Building Blocks For Space Nuclear Fission Electric Power Systems Include The Reactor As The Heat Source, Power Generation Equipment To Convert The Thermal Energy To Electrical Power, Waste Heat Rejection Radiators And Shielding To Protect The Spacecraft Payload.