SP-100

For the antigen, see Sp100 nuclear antigen.

SP-100 (Space reactor Prototype^[1]) was a U.S. research program for nuclear fission reactors usable as small fission power systems for spacecraft.^[2] It was started in 1983 by NASA, the US Department of Energy and other agencies.^[3]

SP-100 nuclear power system

A reactor was developed with heat pipes transporting the heat to thermoelectric generators. It was cooled with lithium.^[4] The project never advanced to flight hardware and was terminated in 1994.^[5]

See also

• Systems Nuclear Auxiliary Power Program and SNAP-10A, that flew in 1965
• Safe Affordable Fission Engine, a later project
• Kilopower, a later small space reactor

References

1. Acronyms: SP-100 means Space reactor prototype
2. "SP-100 Advanced Technology Program". NASA. Retrieved Oct 27, 2024.
3. SP-100, the US Space Nuclear Reactor Power Program, Technical information report. Available at Energy Citations Database
4. Stănculescu, Adrian (2005). The Role of Nuclear Power and Nuclear Propulsion in the Peaceful Exploration (PDF). Vienna: International Atomic Energy Agency. pp. 21–22. ISBN 92-0-107404-2. Retrieved 2009-02-24.
5. Mason, Lee; Bailey, Sterling; Bechtel, Ryan; Elliott, John; Fleurial, Jean-Pierre; Houts, Mike; Kapernick, Rick; Lipinski, Ron; MacPherson, Duncan; Moreno, Tom; Nesmith, Bill; Poston, Dave; Qualls, Lou; Radel, Ross; Weitzberg, Abraham; Werner, Jim (18 November 2010). "Small Fission Power System Feasibility Study — Final Report". NASA/DOE. Retrieved 3 October 2015. The SP-100 program objective was to develop the technologies needed for a broad range of space missions requiring a high power-to-weight ratio with nominal 100 kWe power output. The program began in 1982 and was terminated by Congress in 1994. A high temperature (1350 K) refractory alloy heat transport system with thermoelectric power conversion was designed, uranium nitride fuel was fabricated and irradiated to 6% burnup, and significant amounts of hardware and electronics were successfully tested.