Principles of Nuclear Rocket Propulsion

The development of a solid core Nuclear Thermal Rocket for crewed space missions faces design challenges such as the thermal, fluid, and mechanical aspects that are always present in chemical rocket engine development, but also nuclear interactions and some unique materials restrictions. There is a need to have a deeper knowledge of the background theory and how it links to conventional reactor theory, as well as the concept of cooling from the propellant which is a feature that does not arise in conventional reactor design. The second edition of Principles of Nuclear Rocket Propulsion continues to put the technical and theoretical aspects of nuclear rocket propulsion into a clear and unified presentation, providing an understanding of the physical principles underlying the design and operation of nuclear fission-based rocket engines. The new edition expands and adds new topics such as antimatter propulsion, a description of a liquid core based nuclear rocket engine, a new section on a nuclear rocket startup, new fuel forms, an enhanced section on reactor stability, and new advanced reactor concepts. With a comprehensive review of the Nuclear Thermal Rocket Engine physics, design considerations and history from Kiwi to NERVA, this new edition is for aerospace and nuclear engineers, researchers involved in developing nuclear propulsion systems, and advanced students interested in nuclear rocket propulsion.

Advanced undergraduate students, early graduate students, and professionals in the field of propulsion