Principles of Nuclear Rocket Propulsion (eBook)

Principles of Nuclear Rocket Propulsion provides an understanding of the physical principles underlying the design and operation of nuclear fission-based rocket engines. While there are numerous texts available describing rocket engine theory and nuclear reactor theory, this is the first book available describing the integration of the two subject areas. Most of the book's emphasis is primarily on nuclear thermal rocket engines, wherein the energy of a nuclear reactor is used to heat a propellant to high temperatures and then expel it through a nozzle to produce thrust. Other concepts are also touched upon such as a section devoted to the nuclear pulse rocket concept wherein the force of externally detonated nuclear explosions is used to accelerate a spacecraft.

Future crewed space missions beyond low earth orbit will almost certainly require propulsion systems with performance levels exceeding that of today's best chemical engines. A likely candidate for that propulsion system is the solid core Nuclear Thermal Rocket or NTR. Solid core NTR engines are expected to have performance levels which significantly exceed that achievable by any currently conceivable chemical engine. The challenge is in the engineering details of the design which includes not only the thermal, fluid, and mechanical aspects always present in chemical rocket engine development, but also nuclear interactions and some unique materials restrictions.

• Sorts and organizes information on various types of nuclear thermal rocket engines into a coherent curriculum
• Includes a number of example problems to illustrate the concepts being presented
• Features a companion site with interactive calculators demonstrating how variations in the constituent parameters affect the physical process being described
• Includes 3D figures that may be scaled and rotated to better visualize the nature of the object under study

Dr. Emrich has worked at the NASA Marshall Center for over 27 years, starting in 1987 in Software Quality Assurance. Now a Senior Engineer, Emrich is working at the forefront of research that is propelling America's journey to Mars. Emrich conceived, designed and now operates the megawatt-class Nuclear Thermal Rocket Element Environment Simulator. In 2015, he became the second Marshall team member to win the coveted AIAA Engineer of the Year award. The award is presented to a member of AIAA who has made a recent individual contribution in the application of scientific and mathematical principles leading to a significant accomplishment or event.
He earned numerous college degrees including a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology; a master's degree in nuclear engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; and a doctorate in mechanical and aerospace engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, where he now teaches nuclear rocket propulsion for the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department and mentors young engineers.

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Principles of Nuclear Rocket Propulsion provides an understanding of the physical principles underlying the design and operation of nuclear fission-based rocket engines. While there are numerous texts available describing rocket engine theory and nuclear reactor theory, this is the first book available describing the integration of the two subject areas. Most of the book's emphasis is primarily on nuclear thermal rocket engines, wherein the energy of a nuclear reactor is used to heat a propellant to high temperatures and then expel it through a nozzle to produce thrust. Other concepts are also touched upon such as a section devoted to the nuclear pulse rocket concept wherein the force of externally detonated nuclear explosions is used to accelerate a spacecraft. Future crewed space missions beyond low earth orbit will almost certainly require propulsion systems with performance levels exceeding that of today's best chemical engines. A likely candidate for that propulsion system is the solid core Nuclear Thermal Rocket or NTR. Solid core NTR engines are expected to have performance levels which significantly exceed that achievable by any currently conceivable chemical engine. The challenge is in the engineering details of the design which includes not only the thermal, fluid, and mechanical aspects always present in chemical rocket engine development, but also nuclear interactions and some unique materials restrictions. Sorts and organizes information on various types of nuclear thermal rocket engines into a coherent curriculum Includes a number of example problems to illustrate the concepts being presented Features a companion site with interactive calculators demonstrating how variations in the constituent parameters affect the physical process being described Includes 3D figures that may be scaled and rotated to better visualize the nature of the object under study