Microgravity Research in a Space Station Environment
A broad class of scientific experiments have evolved which utilize extreme low acceleration environments. A space station can provide such a `microgravity' environment, in conjunction...
Update of the Implications of Recent Space Resource Discovery
Immense resources have been discovered in the space near Earth during the last decade. Last August, 1992, one of the resource objects was discovered to contain a key ingredient that might...
Roles of the Lunar-Solar Power System In Development of the Resources of Greater Earth for Mankind
The proposed Lunar-Solar Power (LSP) System collects solar power on the moon. The power is converted to beams of microwaves and transmitted to fields of microwave receivers on Earth that...
A Practical Application of Concession Schemes to Space Energy Projects
It has been shown in previous papers and studies that some of the financing schemes involving a mix of private and government funds, which are used for terrestrial large infrastructures,...
Helium-3 on the Moon: Model Assumptions and Abundances
Solar-wind particles are present in the outer few 100 angstroms of each soil particle of the Moon. Of particular interest, are the volatiles hydrogen (40-100 ppm) and helium (5-45 ppm)....
In-situ Extraction of Lunar Soil Volatiles
Techniques for their recovery and utilization of the potentially valuable solar-wind elements embedded in the lunar regolith have been proposed. In order to acquire quantities of 3He...
A Summary of the NEPSTP Nuclear Safety Program
The Nuclear Electric Propulsion Space Test Program (NEPSTP) is sponsored by the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO) to demonstrate and evaluate the Russian-built TOPAZ II nuclear...
TOPAZ II System Description
The TOPAZ II single-cell thermionic space reactor power system was designed, built and tested by the former Soviet Union (Russia). It has been purchased by the United States (U.S.) for...
TOPAZ II Qualification and Nuclear Testing Program
This paper presents an overview of the Topaz II qualification and nuclear test program. The program combines the joint efforts and resources of Russian and American specialists and organizations...
A Comparison of Propulsion Systems for Space Exploration
There are three promising propulsion systems that might be used for space missions: chemical, direct nuclear, and nuclear electric. Selecting the best system for a mission involves comparing...
A Discussion of Nuclear Propulsion in Space Travel
Nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) is gaining popularity as a safe alternative to conventional propulsion. Such alternatives are desirable to meet the goals of lunar colonization and manned...
Nuclear Propulsion
In this paper, the possibilities and safety of nuclear propulsion will be discussed and explained. The main focus pertains to the efficiency and safety of this form of propulsion. Nuclear...
Propulsion Systems for Future Space Exploration
There are many types of propulsion that are being considered for future space travel needs. These include nuclear, solar sail, magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thrusters, and laser propulsion...
Propulsion Systems: Present and Future
Propulsion is the very essence of space travel. There are many types of propulsion. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages. Propulsion systems are constantly being improved just...
Solar Power Satellites
Earth's fossil fuel supply is dropping quickly. A new power source must be developed to save the remaining fuel and control pollution output. Solar power satellites are large satellites...
Construction of Large Lunar Structures by Fusion Welding of Sintered Regolith
Regardless of material used, construction of large lunar structures using indigenous resources is likely to requires joining of simple blocks or pieces. Fusion welding using an optical...
Optical Waveguide Solar Energy System for Lunar Material Processing
This paper summarizes a study of the optical waveguide (OW) solar energy system for lunar material processing. In the OW solar energy system, solar radiation is collected by the concentrator...
The History and Present Status of Microwave Aircraft
The history of microwave-powered aircraft is reviewed from the point of view of interaction between the technology of beamed microwave power transmission and the applications for it. the...
Dynamics of Nuclear Power Plant Structures with Foundation Interaction
This paper presents analyses and conclusions pertaining to a recorded earthquake motion felt at a nuclear power plant. The objective is to obtain frequency composition, assess damage potential,...
Monitoring of Structures During Repair of Underground Utilities
A collapse of underground utilities at a power plant required the constant monitoring of the surrounding structures during excavation and replacement of the damaged pipes. A computer-based...
Return to search