An Instrumentation System for a Nuclear Rocket Engine Reactor

A unique data acquisition system has been developed to cope with the problems of testing Kiwi Reactors in the Rover Program. This uniqueness is due to the large number of parameters measured, the extremely high reliability and accuracy requirements, extreme requirements for system flexibility, and the wide ranges of parameters. The requirement for up to 1,500 simultaneous measurements with one-percent system accuracy requires automation of checkout, monitoring, and calibration, and demands special design, modification, and maintenance of otherwise routine components. Calibrations are required to hold for many hours on all components. Data are transmitted via a two-mile hardwire system.