Session
Technical Session I: New Applications & Sensor Technology
Abstract
The Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (lNEL) is conducting intensive research in the design and development of a small excore heat-pipe-thermionic space nuclear reactor power system (SEHPTR). The SEHPTR spacecraft will be able to supply 40 kW of power in any given orbit. Figure 1-1 shows a conceptual diagram of the SEHPTR spacecraft. The key components in this reactor are the thermionic heat pipes. The heat pipes have two major functions: first, to convert heat energy into electrical energy, and second, to radiate the excess heat to space.
THERMION: Verification of a Thermionic Heat Pipe in Microgravity
The Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (lNEL) is conducting intensive research in the design and development of a small excore heat-pipe-thermionic space nuclear reactor power system (SEHPTR). The SEHPTR spacecraft will be able to supply 40 kW of power in any given orbit. Figure 1-1 shows a conceptual diagram of the SEHPTR spacecraft. The key components in this reactor are the thermionic heat pipes. The heat pipes have two major functions: first, to convert heat energy into electrical energy, and second, to radiate the excess heat to space.
