A conceptual study of the use of a particle bed reactor nuclear propulsion module for the orbital maneuvering vehicle

The use of a particle-bed-reactor nuclear engine for direct thrust in a spacecraft based on the NASA/TRW orbital maneuvering vehicle (OMV) is discussed. The conceptual design of a 500 lb thrust engine that matches critical design features of the existing OMV bipropellant propulsion system is presented. This application contrasts with the usual tendency to consider the nuclear heat source either for high-thrust direct propulsion or as a power source for electric propulsion. A nuclear propulsion module adapted to the OMV could potentially accomplish several US Department of Defense missions, such as multiple round trips from a spaced-based support platform at 280 nmi to service a constellation of satellites orbiting at 1800 nmi