Thermal management issues with various space nuclear power alternatives on SSTS spacecraft

A thermal integration study of various space nuclear power system (SNPS) alternatives for the Space Surveillance and Tracking System (SSTS) spacecraft was performed for the purpose of defining concepts. SNPS/SSTS integrated thermal analyses predicted SSTS surface temperatures and thermal fluxes, which were used to ascertain approximate thermal conditions and indicate thermal trends for the various SNPS/SSTS configurations studied. The three space nuclear power systems examined were the SNAP-DYN system, the modified SP-100 system, and the STAR-C system. The SP-100 created the hottest thermal environment and worst thermal impacts on the SSTS because of the size of its hot thermal radiator. The STAR-C, although operating with the hottest thermal radiator, produced only moderately hot thermal environments and impacts on the SSTS because its small size and configuration-limited SSTS exposure to the STAR-C radiator. The SNAP-DYN generated the most benign thermal environments and impacts on the SSTS because its thermal radiator, although the largest of the three SNPS studied, operates at relatively cool temperatures