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Family: Nerva. Country: USA. Status: Development 1992.
DARPA project. Nuclear fission engine using spherical fuel elements.
SpecificationsLEO Payload: 12,272 kg. to: 80 km Orbit. Payload: 6,363 kg. to a: 19,000 km orbital trajectory. Liftoff Thrust: 390,412 kgf. Total Mass: 223,628 kg. Core Diameter: 4.3 m. Total Length: 29.0 m. Flyaway Unit Cost $: 100.00 million. in 1985 unit dollars.
- Stage Number: 1. 1 x Atlas IIIA Gross Mass: 195,628 kg. Empty Mass: 13,725 kg. Thrust (vac): 423,052 kgf. Isp: 337 sec. Burn time: 132 sec. Isp(sl): 311 sec. Diameter: 3.1 m. Span: 3.0 m. Length: 29.0 m. Propellants: Lox/Kerosene No Engines: 1. RD-180
- Stage Number: 2. 1 x Timberwind 45 Gross Mass: 28,000 kg. Empty Mass: 7,500 kg. Thrust (vac): 45,000 kgf. Isp: 1,000 sec. Burn time: 449 sec. Isp(sl): 890 sec. Diameter: 4.3 m. Span: 4.3 m. Length: 23.9 m. Propellants: Nuclear/LH2 No Engines: 1. Timberwind 45
Bibliography:- 250 - Asker, James R, Aviation Week and Space Technology, "Particle Bed Reactor Central to SDI Nuclear Rocket Project", 1991-04-08, page 18.
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Last update 12 March 2001.
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