Pegasus, a power generating system for use in space, is multimegawatt power system that would enable missions of almost any conceivable duration and scope. The Pegassus Drive is the coupling of this nuclear electric power system with a 6 MWe MPD thruster. The power system has a maximum power output of 8.5 MWe. The MPD thruster requires 6 MWe to provide spacecraft propulsion and 1.5 MWe are available for mission-specific tasks and experiments. The balance of power generated is used to operate the power system. The size and mass limitations of the STS are of prime consideration in the design of this system to allow the collapsed system to be placed in lower earth orbit by two Shuttle missions. The main system (19,120 kg) employing a shadow shield would require one launch and the balance of the four-pi shield (27,830 kg) would occupy the second launch. Development of this power system could be completed by the mid 1990's and the system available near the turn of the century.


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    Title :

    The Pegasus drive - A multi-megawatt nuclear electric propulsion system


    Contributors:
    Coomes, E. P. (author) / Cuta, J. M. (author) / Webb, B. J. (author) / King, D. Q. (author)

    Publication date :

    1986-01-01


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    The PEGASUS drive: A multi-megawatt nuclear electric propulsion system

    Coomes, E.P. / King, D.Q. / Cuta, J.M. et al. | Tema Archive | 1986


    The pegasus drive: A multi-megawatt nuclear electric propulsion system

    Coomes, E.P. / King, D.Q. / Cuta, J.M. et al. | Tema Archive | 1987


    PEGASUS: A Multi-Megawatt Nuclear Electric Propulsion System

    E. P. Coomes / J. M. Cuta / B. J. Webb et al. | NTIS | 1985


    PEGASUS: A multi-megawatt nuclear electric propulsion system

    Coomes, Edmund P. / Cuta, Judith M. / Webb, Brent J. et al. | NTRS | 1986


    PEGASUS: A multi-megawatt nuclear electric propulsion system

    Coomes, E.P. / King, D.G. / Cuta, J.M. et al. | Tema Archive | 1986