Superconducting Electric Boost Pump for Nuclear Thermal Propulsion

A submersible, superconducting electric boost pump sized to meet the needs of future Nuclear Thermal Propulsion systems in the 25,000 lbf thrust range is proposed. The proposed solution combines active electronic speed control technology with state-of-the-art cavitation suppression techniques to meet the near-zero Net Positive Suction Head requirements with up to 50% vapor content and enables a higher level of safety, reliability and operability for the Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) system than turbine driven pumps. The proposed pump configuration enables placement in, or close-coupled to the tank where it can be shielded from the reactor to prevent neutron flux heating. Evaluation of NTP power cycles will enable feasibility determination for driving the boost pump, and possibly the main pump, electrically and provides a comparison of approaches for the derivation of requirements needed in the development of an ultra-long life, highly reliable integrated pump system for NTP. The requirements, system trades and benefits analysis, conceptual design, risk reduction and Phase II planning will be documented to enable further development and TRL transition from TRL 3 at the completion of Phase I to TRL 5 at the completion of Phase II.

Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) was identified as the propulsion system of choice in NASA's recent Mars Design Reference Architecture (DRA) 5.0 study (NASA-SP-2009-566) due to its high thrust and high specific Impulse (ISP). The proposed superconducting electric motor driven hydrogen boost pump could replace the typical expander gaseous hydrogen driven turbopump considered for NTP designs resulting in a lower cost

Non-NASA potential applications include innovative boost pumps for traditional chemical rocket propulsion enabling active speed control and near zero NPSH operation to support the DoD and commercial space markets.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — 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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