SP-100 system design and technology progress

Abstract

GE, under contract to the U. S. Department of Energy, is designing the SP‐100 Space Reactor Power System and developing the requisite technology to provide power in the range of 10’s to 100’s of kWe for a wide variety of missions. SP‐100 technology satisfies the emerging high power requirements that will enable future space missions and is readily adaptable to provide base power for lunar and Martian surface applications. The SP‐100 nuclear power reactor can also be coupled to various static and dynamic power conversion systems as they achieve technology readiness. This uniquie capability expands SP‐100’s applicability into the range needed for advanced Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP) missions. An effective infrastructure of Industry, National Laboratories and suppliers has been established. This team has made major progress, successfully fabricating and testing the technology features that are essential to meeting SP‐100’s stringent safety, performance, life and reliability requirments for both civil and defense missions.