Space Nuclear Power And Propulsion Workshop

The UK Space Agency presents the opportunity to attend our one day technology event focussing on nuclear power and propulsion for space. The event brings together lead developers from the space community, both industrial and academic, alongside non-space nuclear industry and public sector. Nuclear power systems are currently in use for space applications as heat sources and for electrical power generation; whereas the use of nuclear propulsion is considered for future space missions over long distances with relatively large payloads. The event will present current developments and opportunities to engage; with European technologies being very early in development, the workshop mapping session will try to establish a UK road map of expertise.

Radioisotope heater units (RHU) provide heat from radioactive decay for electronics and other equipment to operate in the space environment. Nearly all space missions traveling further than the orbit of Mars have incorporated RHUs. Radioisotope thermoelectric Generators (RTG) convert thermal energy from radioactive decay into electrical power for satellites or unmanned space probes. RTGs provide power for a longer period of time than fuel cells or batteries and can operate in deep space where solar cells are not viable.

The near term potential of nuclear propulsion is for a mission to Mars, the higher specific impulse reduces the mission duration considerably using a nuclear rocket. This is vital to avoid the effects of space radiation on astronauts as well as the effects of the absence of gravity. The two regimes to explore are Nuclear Electric propulsion (NEP) and Nuclear Thermal Rocket (NTR). In NEP the energy from a fission reaction or radioisotope decay is converted to electrical energy using thermoelectric conversion or thermionics to power ion thrusters, whereas in NTR operate by heating low-molecular weight propellant much like a chemical rocket engine allowing propellant passes through a nozzle to provide thrust.

Such power sources are not available in Europe, although used by the US and the former Soviet Union. The UK is leading the development of RHU and RTGs in Europe through ESA and currently at a TRL of 4. Where, nuclear propulsion concepts are being considered under EU projects such as MEGAHIT, with the objective to propose specific actions in the field of high power electric generation and propulsion. The aim of this event i to provide a forum to consolidate on expertise and capability in the UK, leading to a useful long term roadmap in assessing the case for European capability for NPS in both space and terrestrial applications. 

This event will be of interest to a broad community delivering products or services in all facets of the space industry as well as an opportunity for new actors. The event encourages a discussion of technologies to stimulate and identify/map near term opportunities.

Agenda & Registration

Participation is free and open to all interested parties.

We offer the following opportunities associated with the event:

Programme

Space Nuclear power and propulsion

Central Hall, London

09:30

Registration and Coffee

 

Session 1

Research and Technology

 

10:00

Welcome and Introduction

Major Chahal, UK Space Agency

10:10

Overview: Nuclear power for space

Matt Stuttard /Marie-Claire, Airbus D&S

10:40

Space nuclear power (ESA)

Keith Stevenson, ESA

11:00

RTG/RHUs

Richard Ambrosi, Leicester

11:20

Q and A followed by short tea/coffee break

 

11:50

Space propulsion

Davar Feili, University of Southampton

12:20

EU MEGAHIT

Colette Grundy/ Tim Tinsley, NNL

12:40

Q and A, Networking lunch

 

14:00

Experts and facilities

Martin Cox, Culham

14:20     

Experts and facilities

Duncan Broughton, AWE

Session 2

General discussion

 

14:40

Q and A followed by short tea/coffee break

 

15:00

Breakout session for Nuclear Power

Breakout session for Nuclear propulsion

16:00

Summary and Chairman’s Closing remarks

UKSA/KTN

16:15

End

 

If you feel you are able to contribute to this event or would like further information please contact: Major Chahal , UK Space Agency (major.chahal@ukspaceagency.bis.gsi.gov.uk)