also based on proven space components with some advanced structural materials to keep the mass low. The equipment launch supports, which must be released upon orbital acquisition before startup of the power system, are based on proven concepts and could be developed during the flight phase. The boom structure and unfolding mechanism also can be developed based on the specific flight application. The validation items that will be developed in the GES phase if there is sufficient funding are shown in Fig. 14. The structural subsystem interface validation is accomplished by the two assembly performance tests. The nuclear assembly, shown in Fig. 29 will validate the structural interface performance and compatibility of the reactor, reactors I&C and shield subsystems. The integrated assembly, shown in Fig. 30, will validate the structural interface performance of the heat transport, power conversion, and heat rejection subsystems as well as validate the power distribution interfaces within these three subsystems. Due to funding shortfalls the Integrated Assembly Test is also put on hold, but can be included at the end of the GES project if more funding becomes available in FY 1993, 1994 and 1995. Conclusions The SP-100 GES development project is taking longer than originally planned because of the funding shortfalls every year since the start of SP-100 Phase II. Considering the replanning which has had to be done to match the funds, the development is on schedule. The critical development components for the space reactor power system are the bonded niobium/rhenium cladding, the thermoelectric electromagnetic pump, the improved SiGe thermoelectric material, the compliant pad, the tungsten graphite electrode/SiGe bond, the TE cell, the multiplexer and the reflector control element actuators. The UN fuel development is well along, reactor fabrication is fairly well developed, the actuator bearings, the heat pipes, the pump magnetics and shield development is progressing as planned. The summarized SP-100 schedule is shown in Fig. 3 with the SP-100 GES completion expected by the end of FY 1995. REFERENCES [1] Examples of technology are fuel pin cladding and thermoelectric cell insulator. Examples of requirements for fuel pin cladding are: (a) maximum clad operating temperature of 1425 K; (b) cladding must be compatible with UN fuel pellets at its inner boundary and flowing lithium at its outer boundary for 10-year lifetime with seven years at 1400 K. [2] Examples of requirements for thermoelectric cell insulator are: (a) maximum operating temperature of 1350 K; (b) insulator must be compatible with NblZr and lithium on the hot side and Nb compliant pad on the cold side; (c) maximum operating voltage of plus or minus 100 Vdc.
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