Additive Manufacturing of In-Core Heat Pipes for Space Nuclear Power and Propulsion

Currently, NASA is considering Fission Surface Power and Nuclear Electric Propulsion to meet the power requirements for Moon 2 Mars missions. These architectures can use heat pipes to efficiently transfer thermal energy from the reactor to the power conversion systems rather than more complex pumped loop heat exchangers. This project will evaluate additive manufactured refractory alloy in-core heat pipes for space reactors.

This project will advance the State-of-the-Art refractory alloy heat pipes by additive manufacturing (AM). This demonstration will show that refractory alloy heat pipes can be considered for SNPP missions. This will be accomplished through advances in the TRL for AM refractory alloys by demonstrating fabrication of novel materials, thin wall structures, and joining of complex sections.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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