AME-557 Nuclear Power Supply for Initial Lunar Colony AME-557 Jeremy L. Pollay Energy (Nuclear)

Introduction: The basic concept: To utilize a nuclear power supply (NPS) to provide an initial lunar colony with ample, safe energy to sustain and mature with the colony’s growth over the lifespan.

Introduction (con’t.): Demand/Rational: Provide power through long lunar nights. Long-term (10+ years) continuous high density power output (up to ~1000 kW e ) Power initial lunar community until it can become energy self-sufficient. Ease of power transmission (power beaming).

Introduction (con’t.): Concepts considered: Solar (photovoltaic): Lower power output for initial colony (up to ~100 kW e ). Photovoltaic cell degradation (Ionizing & UV radiation, micrometeoroid impacts, thermal cycling and lunar dust).

Introduction (con’t.): Beamed-Power Systems (from earth and lunar orbit): Microwave & laser power beaming are not yet at a suitable technological readiness level (TRL). Satellite guidance & pointing accuracy downfalls (frequencies & Tx/Rx size). Active orbit maintenance (additional fueling needed for satellites). Can provide ease of power transmission from NPS to remote active areas.

Introduction (con’t.): Nuclear (Fission & Fusion): Fusion More environmentally friendly than fission processes. Possibility of mining Helium-3 (ISRU). Low TRL and cannot be currently considered.

Introduction (con’t.): Fission: Larger power output. Long lifespan. Power through lunar nights. Scalability The technology is of a capable TRL. Many years (40+) of space related nuclear power devices (RTG). After comparing the realm of possible architectures, the nuclear fission reactor stands out as a clear choice for mission selection.

Introduction (con’t.): Past Nuclear Fission Power Systems for space: Past Nuclear Fission Power Systems for space:

Mission Considerations: Past, present and future concepts. Past, present and future concepts. Boeing 100 kWe SP-100 “Bimodal” NTR

Mission Considerations (con’t.): Launch Platforms: The NPS, due to scaling, can be reduced to an optimum size determined by the complex of power requirements, lifespan and launching/craft weight. Unit will be launched in “cold” state and activated on the lunar surface remotely.

Mission Considerations (con’t.): Launch Safety: Close attention need be paid to the launch safety through earth’s atmosphere. Careful engineering must be undertaken to create a “safe-launch” reactor/craft to ensure public safety when considering re-entry.

Mission Considerations (con’t.): Landing Site: Landing Site: A landing site should be defined to minimize the radiation affects on moononauts. A landing site should be defined to minimize the radiation affects on moononauts. Two Possibilities: Two Possibilities: Distance – NPS placed at a suitable distance from the colony. Distance – NPS placed at a suitable distance from the colony.

Mission Considerations (con’t.): Crater – Land NPS in crater Crater – Land NPS in crater provides natural radiation filtration through lunar regolith. provides natural radiation filtration through lunar regolith.

Mission Considerations (con’t.): End of life Consideration & Lifespan: End of life Consideration & Lifespan: Operational for ~10+ years. Operational for ~10+ years.

Mission Considerations (con’t.): After NPS is phased out: After NPS is phased out: Left in landing location (radiation minimal after shut- down). Left in landing location (radiation minimal after shut- down). Jettisoned into deep space. Jettisoned into deep space.

Mission Considerations (con’t.): Other considerations: Other considerations: Operation & Maintenance of NPS: Operation & Maintenance of NPS: Designed to minimize the operation & maintenance interactions. Designed to minimize the operation & maintenance interactions. Back-up Power Source: Back-up Power Source: Solar power used for back-up power source of life- support systems. Solar power used for back-up power source of life- support systems.

Mission Considerations (con’t.): Societal Aspects: Societal Aspects: Education/Public out-reach program. Education/Public out-reach program. Marketing the system. Marketing the system. Blessing of the media (an evil necessity Blessing of the media (an evil necessity Political/Regulation: Political/Regulation: NRC, NASA, FAA, DOE responsibilities NRC, NASA, FAA, DOE responsibilities Costs: Costs: Low Low Spread out over time. Spread out over time.

Conclusions: Advantages: Advantages: High density power output. High density power output. Grows with colony’s power demands (modular or oversized) Grows with colony’s power demands (modular or oversized) Long lifespan. Long lifespan. The technology is of a capable TRL. The technology is of a capable TRL. Power through lunar nights. Power through lunar nights.

Conclusions (con’t.): Potential downfalls: Potential downfalls: Nuclear material released during an accidental re- entry. Nuclear material released during an accidental re- entry. Remote operations not capable of containing reaction rates. Remote operations not capable of containing reaction rates. Excessive radiation affects on moononauts from NPS. Excessive radiation affects on moononauts from NPS.

Conclusions (con’t.): Areas of future research: Areas of future research: Energy beaming. Energy beaming. Mobile independent beaming stations for moononaut workers. Mobile independent beaming stations for moononaut workers. Beaming energy back to earth from moon. Beaming energy back to earth from moon. ISRU – solar panels, gases, etc. ISRU – solar panels, gases, etc. To replace or phase out the LNPS. To replace or phase out the LNPS. Radiation affects on humans. Radiation affects on humans. Launching nuclear material through atmosphere. Launching nuclear material through atmosphere.

References: Bloomfield, H.S., & Hickman, J.M., Comparison of Solar Photovoltaic And Nuclear Reactor Power Systems For a Human- Tended Lunar Observatory, NASA (899166), Lewis Research Center. Borowski, S.K., Dudzinski, L., Vehicle and Mission Design Options for the Human Explorations of Mars/Phobos Using “Bimodal” NTR and LANTR Propulsion, NASA, Prepared for the 34 th Joint Propulsion Conference (AIAA, ASME, etc. Cleveland, OH Borowski, S.K., Dudzinski, L. & McGuire, M., Bimodal Nuclear Thermal Rocket (NTR) Propulsion for Power-Rich, Artificial Gravity Human Exploration Missions to Mars, NASA, 52 nd International Astronautical Congress, Toulouse, France Oct. 1-5, Braselton, W.M., Space Power for an Expanded Vision, IEEE AES Systems Magazine, March Criswell, D., Lunar-solar power system, IEEE ( /96), Eckhart, Peter. The Lunar Base Handbook. Space Technology Series. McGraw Hill, ElGenk, Mohamad, Energey Conversion Technologies for Advances Radioisotope and Nuclear Reactor Power Systems for Future Planetary Exploration, IEEE ( /02), 21 st International Conference on Thermoelectronics, Latyshev, L. & Semashko, N. Space Power Plants and Power-Consuming Industrial Systems. IEEE ( ) Lindsey, Nancy J., Lunar Station Protection: Lunar Regolith Shielding. International Lunar Conference Session 5: Science Of, From and On the Moon: Life Sciences and Habitation. Hawaii Island, Hawaii. Mahr, Eric., Mosher, Todd. Mission Architectures for the Exploration of the Lunar Poles. IEEE ( X/01) Smakhtin, Andrey P. & Mosesov, Sergei K., Laser Space Power Systems for Moon: Ecological Safety and High Efficiency. Moscow State Aviation Institute (Technical University), Russia (TOPAZ-II) (space power systems database)