Sensitivity Analysis of Heat Rejection and Propellant Management Technologies for Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Architectures

Abstract

Cryogenic fluid management (CFM) technologies are very important for enabling a wider range of missions that utilize advanced cryogenic propulsion concepts such as nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP). Technologies for thermal and cryogenic propellant management allow for vehicles to take full advantage of the higher efficiency NTP systems for longer duration human interplanetary and deep space robotic missions. When developing these technologies, it is important to understand the sensitivities of key performance parameters (KPPs) at the system and overall mission level due to the ways the technologies interact with each other and other subsystems to influence the overall vehicle. The Advanced Concepts Office (ACO) at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center recently developed an integrated system model of a human Mars NTP mission to evaluate the impacts and sensitivities of CFM technologies on the overall vehicle and mission. This paper will cover the buildup of the model and highlight major sensitivities and breakpoints encountered, as well as future work in improving the existing models and sensitivities being evaluated.