Nuclear safety in nuclear power and propulsion devices for space. Page: 1 of 39
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NOTICE
This report was prepared as an account of work
sponsored by the United States Government. Neither
the United States nor the United States Atomic Energy
Commission, nor any of their employees, nor any of
their contractors, subcontractors, or their employees,
makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any
legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, com-
pleteness or usefulness of any information, apparatus,
ABSTRACT product or process disclosed, or represents that its use
would not infringe privately owned rights.
Nuclear Safety in Nuclear Power and
Propulsion Devices for Space*
by
G. A. Graves
Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory
University of California
Los Alamos, New Mexico 87544, U. S. A.
The use of nuclear devices in space systems may introduce
them to a wide variety of abnormal or extreme conditions in the
event of system malfunctions. Undesirable circumstances which
could be encountered include explosion, fire, reentry, impact,
and contact with land or water. But it does not follow that
exposure to diverse and hostile environments need produce an
event of nuclear consequence-- i.e., one leading to significant
fuel dispersal, criticality, or radiation exposure. Nuclear
space systems can be studied on the ground and their nuclear
safety characteristics verified or enhanced before their employ-
ment in space. Extensive research in this area has been carried
on for many years in the United States and has led to the
development of various means and policies through which safety
is promoted or assured. These include special features in de-
sign, proscriptions on modes of operational use, and counter-
measures directed at protecting against specific eventualities.
Some examples of these approaches and of the research supporting
them are given, and illustrative applications to isotope and reactor
power supplies and to propulsion reactors are shown.
kdASE
*Work performed under the auspices of the U. S. Atomic Energy Commission
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Graves, G.A. Nuclear safety in nuclear power and propulsion devices for space., report, January 1, 1972; New Mexico. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1032958/m1/1/: accessed May 6, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.