核反应堆空间应用研究

对美国、俄罗斯等国家的核反应堆空间应用进行了研究。其中包括:美国最早研究的SNAP-8系列,可提供多种组合输出的SP-100布雷顿能量系统,应用于火星表面的核反应堆MSR系统等;俄罗斯和日本在月球表面或火星表面应用的核反应堆。重点对空间核反应堆的堆型、堆芯冷却方式、热电转换方式、废热排放方式、辐射屏蔽模式等进行比对分析。结合月球基地能源系统的应用背景,对实现核反应堆空间应用需要解决的关键技术进行了分析,如发射安全技术、无人自主管理技术、空间低重力环境适应性及辐射防护技术等,可为我国未来空间探测任务的能源系统研究提供借鉴和参考。

Research on Nuclear Reactor in Space Application

The paper makes an investigation on space application of nuclear reactor. It includes the research of the United States, such as the first study of the SNAP-8 series, SP-100 Brayton ener- gy system with a variety of combined outputs, and MSR system which is applied on the surface of Mars and so on. And it also includes the research of Russia and Japan. It compares and analyzes the types of reactor, the core cooling mode, thermoelectric conversion mode, waste heat dis- charge mode, and radiation shielding mode. Considering the background of the application of the lunar base energy systems, the paper analyzes the key technologies of nuclear reactors for space applications, such as launch safety technology, unmanned autonomous management techniques, space low-gravity environment adaptability, radiation prevention technology and etc. This paper can provide a reference for energy systems of future space exploration missions of China.