Overview of CNES-CEA Joint Programme on Space Nuclear Brayton Systems F. CARRE, E. PROUST, S. CHAUDOURNE, P. KEIRLE, Z. TILLIETTE & B. VRILLON Summary In 1982, a cooperative programme on space nuclear power systems was initiated between the French Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES) and the Commissariat a I’Energie Atomique (CEA), to assess the feasibility, lead time, cost, competitiveness and development prospects for space nuclear power systems (SPS) in the 20 to 200 kWe range. The first study phase, completed in mid 1986, was devoted to preliminary feasibility and cost analysis of a reference 200 kWe turboelectric nuclear SPS (Erato) compatible with the Ariane V launcher. The present three-year study phase is primarily oriented toward the assessment of various reactor candidate technologies and system design options for nuclear SPS in the 20 kWe class, which corresponds to the expected power needs of the first European space missions, anticipated to begin in 2005. In addition, a comparative study of potential 20 kWe space power systems has been undertaken to evaluate the competitiveness of nuclear systems with solar dynamic or photovoltaic systems at this power level. This paper presents an overview of the present programme phase, with emphasis on design studies of three reference design concepts for 20 kWe turboelectric nuclear power systems selected so as to cover a wide range of reactor temperatures and corresponding technologies. Background and Brief Programme Account The availability, after 1995, of the Ariane V heavy launcher makes it possible to contemplate ambitious European space missions requiring high on-board power levels for long periods. Nuclear systems may be the only means to efficiently meet such power demands. Consequently, a CNES-CEA joint programme on nuclear space Power systems (SPS) was initiated in 1982. The major stages are: 1982 to mid-1984: prospective study of an orbital transfer vehicle powered by a 200 kWe nuclear electric source, including a comparison of various candidate energy conversion systems and reactor concepts [1,2]. Mid-1984 to mid-1986: preliminary design and development cost and lead time evaluation of a 200 kWe reference system (see Fig. 1) whose basic design options, mainly dictated by its integration with Ariane V, are a fast-spectrum lithium reactor F. Carre, E. Proust, Z. Tilliette & B. Vrillon, Commissariat a I’Energie Atomique IRDI/DEDR/DEMT: S. Chaudourne & P. Keirle, DTE IRDI/ DLETI/DEIN, Centre d’Etudes Nucleaires de Saclay, 91191 Gif- sur-Yvette Cedex, France.
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