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SPACE NUCLEAR THER4. PROPULSION Progrth Conpilation of New Releases, News Clippings, and Journal Articles

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SPACE NUCLEAR THER4. PROPULSION Progrth Conpilation of New Releases, News Clippings, and Journal Articles ,SPACE NUCLEAR THER4. PROPULSION PROGRth Conpilation of new releases, news clippings, and journal articles DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE AIR FORCE CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE (AFCEE) BROOKS AIR FORCE BASE, TEXAS 78235-5000 INEL Technical Library (PRR) Attn: Gail Willmore 1776 Science Center Drive Idaho Falls, ID 83415 Dear Ms Willmore Per our telephone conversation on 23 March, 1992, I am enclosing a compilation of news releases, news clippings, and journal articles on the Space Nuclear Thermal Propulsion program. Request you make these available to the general public through your reference desk (along with this letter), and suggest-a-3=74 31- hour--tinte---1-inti-t—on-ch-eekeut so all interested parties have the- opportunity to view-it7 All of this material is in the public domain and may be reproduced. Our intent in making this available is to provide an understanding of the technology and why it is being studied. However, since much of this consists of media articles, we cannot guarantee its accuracy. Decisions yet to be made about this program include whether to proceed with the technology development and if so, where to conduct ground testing. These decisions will be based in part on an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that we are preparing. Since two sites at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory are under consideration, we will be conducting a scoping meeting in Idaho Falls on Thursday, 9 April, 1992. It will be held at the Bonneville High School Auditorium at 7:00 PM. This meeting is open to the general public, and will assist us in determining the scope of environmental issues to be analyzed in the EIS. Your assistance in this matter is greatly appreciated. If you have any questions on this matter, please call me at (512) 536-3806. Sincerely Scott A. Hartford, Capt USAF, EIS Project Manager Tp,,&41/7 MAR -19-92 THU 11:16 PL/FM ..t=0( NU, b058464328 i 02 News Release United States Air Force AIR FORCE SYSTEMS COMMAND orrice OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, PHILLIPS LABORATORY, KIRTLAND AFB NM 871174008 Rec+4;no ikoom Energy v of U. S, Id6o January 13, 1992 PL RELEASE NO. 92-02 CONTACT: Rich Garcia PHONE: (505) 846-1911 PHILLIPS LABORATORY ANNOUNCES PROGRAM IN SPACE PROPULSION KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- A technology program that could advance the state-of-the-art in space propulsion was announced today (Jan. 13) by Phillips Laboratory officials at the 9th Symposium on Space Nuclear Power Systems. The program, called Space Nuclear Thermal Propulsion, will use a particle-bed reactor that is expected to more than double the specific impulse of the best current rocket engines. The goal is to develop a 75,000-pound thrust engine with a specific impulse goal of 1,000 seconds at a 30-to-1 thrust-to-weight ratio for exoatmospheric applications. MR.-194P NJ 11:17 MiTM FAX NO. 50584843PR P. 03 PROGRAM IN SPACE PROPULSION -- 2 The program is managed by the Air Force's Phillips — Laboratory at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. The Department of the Air Force, Department of Energy, and NASA are also participating in the project. The propulsion technology was selected because it offers potential for a wide range of military and civilian space missions. The Air Force has no plans to use the engine in the atmosphere. St may be used once a vehicle is in space, for example, as an advanced upper stage for space launch, orbit transfer vehicle,` or a space propulsion vehicle for the President's Space Exploration Initiative (SEI). A July 1991 report by the SEI's Synthesis Group (Stafford Report) cited nuclear thermal propulsion as an enabling technology for the manned exploration of space. Department of Defense officials are working closely with members of the U.S. Congress, the Administration, and various regulatory agencies to ensure a safe, successful proof-of- concept, research and technology effort. - 30 - MAR-19-92 THU 11:17 PL/FM FAX NO, 5058464328 P.04 News Release • United States Air Force AIR FORCE SYSTEMS COMMAND OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS. PHILLIPS LABORATORY, KIRTLAND AFB NM 87117.600E1 JANUARY 13, 1992 RELEASE NO. 92-2 CONTACT: KARI J. PASEUR PHONE: (505) 846-1911 SPACE NUCLEAR THERMAL PROPULSION ENGINE KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- PICTURED IS A MODEL CF THE CCCCC muctLicAn THERMAL pROPOLOICH ENGINE WHICH THE AIR FORCE'S PHILLIPS LABORATORY IS DEVELOPING. THE BLACK CONE-LIKE STRUCTURE AT THE BOTTOM IS THE ROCKET NOZZLE. THE NUCLEAR PPPPP CLE RED REACTOR IS THE CLACK CYLINDER IN THE MIDDLE PORTION, ANO TN! ENGINE SUBSYSTEMS ARE THE SLUE CIRCULAR ASSEMBLY AT THE TOP. THE ACTUAL ENGINE WOULD BE 12 FEET HIGH. (OFFICIAL U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO) ) R REPORT OF-:THE. SYNTHESIS GROUP ON AMERICA'S-2%CE _EXPLORATION INITIATIVE Earth rise MXfl Irvin Apollo N, • MAR-19-92 THU 12:19 PL/FM FAX NO. 5058464328 P. 04 EXECUTIVE SUMMAR\ ,.,,,,,„ 11 fits& placed Am.,„„ and maintain American preeminence on the Moon on July 20, 1969. in technological innovation and space AThis extraordinary accom- leadership. Other nations have plishment confirmed the United gained the initiative in certain areas Statea• tixlmological ascendancy for a and have become leaders in a tradi- generation. On the 20th anniversary tion of space exploration that America of Apollo I t, ['resident George Uush pioneered. Leadership ea»»ot be announced a new vision for America declared . it ininzt be earneli. in the 2 1 ot ,:orittt ry — .s vieion that will return us to the Moon to :stay, Technologies for Earth. America's and onward to Mars be 2019. This recent history has demonstrated visit)), the Space ENploration Ini- that iuc space program stimulates a tiative, repre-sents one Lit Ow )4r volt7A wide range of tochnolo8ica 1 innova- technological challenge, the world tions that find abundant application hos ever known. in the consumer marketplace. Space: technology has revolution- lives Vision for America ized and improved our daily in countless ways, and it Nal ::011- The Spoee E.ploration Initiative pro- thllle to do so. Energy from space, vides a focus that allows the United .advances in solar power and fusion Statt.-., to gain control of our dv.stinv in fuels, useful materials for advanced "The challenges of the Space space. In doing communications. new resources, Exploration Initiative are great, guide and direct our, pace efforts. medical breakthroughs, and greater potential aro but so is the quality of American Thr.•ean: insight into the human some of the direct benefits tee can talent and ingenuity, and so is the expect. me space Exprorarton inirhirizv leadership of the American peo- Knowledge of our Universe. We ,strive so undorstand the origin and 0-ochre:. toewed scuts to ewer practic,,r ple. And ... it is America's des- histon. of our Solar System, the origin mid ryncrh. rcat,„gosh.-or tiny to lead." of life, and the ultimate tate of our universe. People are the bei..t e•plor- COM inercialization of Space. President George Bush ers, but they often need machines to Initiatives by the private sector are help. The Sprlee goals of our National Space Policy. inicsrnied 1,rosni»1 r1t int:•noll": Spate is a limitless. untapped .none au./ robots /0 explore. /0 wider• of materials and energy, awaiting shut!! and to On knowledge of the um- industrial development for the benefit ['CPA' au./ phicv it/ I. of humanity. COMinerenll prOctitetzz. such as zero gravity ticrived materials, A ill'allcV1Iirif t iii Scic'rrcc' and Stud svIviee iikcaJtviii,-Mstot? Engineering. Returning to the Moon al communication$, all become increas- and onward to Mars roquires the best inNly feasible and iitorilable once rontitre, engineering and scientific talent our tellable anti affordable access to .5plee is nation can muster. Through a long aVallable. range commitment to space, we stim- ulate our national education system Strengthened U.S. Economy. New and inspire students to learn. technologies open new markets. Aii Motivated students are essential to investment in the high technole.16y excellence in education. The Space needed for space exploration main- Explonttion Initiative Trill motivate and tains and improves America's share inspire the MTV gent:Mt/0M: on which our of the global market and enhances future as a nation ticrendS. our competitiveness and balance of trade. it also directly stimulates the United States Leadership. The scientific and technical employment Space Exploration Initiative provides bases in our country, sectors whose us with an opportunity to re-establish health is vital to our nation's econom- 2 MAR-19-92 THU 12:22 PL/FM 4 Eirth Ic security. The Space Exploration hatintitic Lc an itWestmeitt in the future of America. Why the Moon? Earth's closest neighbor in space, the Moon, is surprisingly complex. It is an ob;ect for detailed exploration, platform from which to observe and study the universe, a place to live and work in the environment of space, and a natural source of materialc And enersy for an emerging space-based economy. The Moon offers a record of four billion years of planetary history. its violent birth and history of bombard- ment from space is closely related to events on the early Earth The Moon provides a natural labor.itory tt r detailed study of geology and plane- tary formation, the output of our Sun over its lifetime, and the elements of our universe. The Moon's 14 Earth- day night, crystal clear, airless si..v and stable ground provide a superb platform for astronomy. The Moon is the nearest object in space where people can live under conditions similar to those we will face on other planets.
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