The nuclear-electric pulsed inductive thruster (NuPIT): mission analysis for Prometheus

摘要

The Nuclear-Electric Pulsed Inductive Thruster (NuPIT) is an electromagnetic plasma accelerator that could demonstrate attractive performance for a variety of high-power Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP) missions under consideration by NASA. Both robotic and piloted interplanetary missions may benefit from NuPIT technology, as well as LEO-to-GEO transfers and escape trajectories. The thruster uses abundant propellants (such as NH3), as well as propellants that could be derived from extraterrestrial resources (such as H2O, CO2, etc.). Also, the NuPIT is subject to less erosion than other thrusters at high powers due to its electrodeless nature. This paper presents the results of mission analyses that expose the advantages and disadvantages of the NuPIT for missions considered under the Prometheus Project. The analyses include comparison studies of the NuPIT technology relative to state-of-the-art Ion propulsion systems and quantify the unique benefits of the technology such as long-life, in-situ propellant utilization, and high Isp at relatively fixed efficiency. I.