The Space Studies Board and the Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board
jointly organized a study to advise NASA regarding the scientific goals and
missions that may be enabled uniquely by nuclear power and propulsion
technology.
The study identified space science objectives and possible
missions that could be enabled in the time frame beyond 2015 by development of
advanced spacecraft nuclear power and propulsion systems, as well as nuclear
power systems for landers. As a starting point, this phase of the study used
the recent NRC decadal science strategy reports in astronomy and
astrophysics, solar system exploration, and solar and space physics, and the
study will consider potential directions for each field going beyond the time
span of the current strategies. The future scientific goals were not
prioritized but were used as reference initiatives for consideration of
where the availability of space nuclear systems should make a major impact. The
study considered the potential for scientific advancement by using
electrical power regimes that can only be facilitated by the use of nuclear
power systems and the characteristics of nuclear systems best suited to execute
scientific goals in the future. The study also considered scientific aspects
of performance trade-offs (e.g. trip time vs. thrust levels) that might
influence mission requirements.
This study was funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Click here to read the report. Committee Membership: Mr. William A. Anders - (Co-Chair)
General Dynamics Corporation [Retired]
| MG William W. Hoover
Independent Consultant
| Dr. Ellen R. Stofan - (Co-Chair)
Proxemy Research
| Dr. Steven D. Howe
Universities Space Research Association | Dr. Reta F. Beebe
New Mexico State University
| Dr. William J. Madia
Battelle Memorial Institute
| Dr. William D. Cochran
The University of Texas at Austin
| Dr. William B. McKinnon
Washington University
| Dr. Robert Farquhar
Johns Hopkins University, Applied Physics Laboratory
| Dr. Nathan A. Schwadron
Southwest Research Institute | Dr. Sergio B. Guarro
The Aerospace Corporation | | | | | Staff: David Smith, Study Director
Space Studies Board | |
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