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Nuclear energy in space
Book Reviews NUCLEARENERGY IN SPACE, by Erik S. Pedersen. 516 pages, diagrams, 6 X 9 in. Englewood Cliffs, N. J., Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1964. Price, $19.95.
"One of the primary factors that will establish the pace and scope of future space activity is the availability of suitable sources of energy . . . . " These words with which F. K. Pittman from the Atomic Energy Commission introduces E. S. Pedersen's Nuclear Energy in Space underline the significance of a comprehensive data and fact book on a subject whose importance for the further development of space flight cannot be overestimated. With the imminent availability of giant carrier rockets, and with the rapid development of comm,mication, television, weather, reconnaissance, and exploration systems for space use, the requirement for nuclear-electric energy in space becomes more pressing every day. In fact, the '%ooster gap" is about to be closed; the "payload gap" is diminishing rapidly; but the "power gap" looms over the horizon as the factor which will not only set, but decisively slow down the pace of our space exploration program a few years hence. For this reason alone, Pedersen's book will be greeted with enthusiasm by all concerned with space flight development. The book covers the entire field of nuclear energy in space. Many numerical examples, as well as a profusion of diagrams and pictures, enrich the text, and it is obvious that the author has contributed to the field a great number of his own original ideas, theories and suggestions. The introduction offers a survey of the U. S. programs in nuclear propulsion and in nuclear-electric space power supplies. Chapter 2 deals with nuclear propulsion, including mission analysis for nuclear planetary flight. Chapter 3 goes deeply into the theories of heat transfer and fluid flow, and into reactor fuel element design. Chapter 4 presents the theory of nuclear reactors in a descriptive, rather non-mathematical, but very readable and useful form. In Chapter 5, the properties of many materials are described in connection with reactor and power supply design. In particular, their properties at high tempera-
tures, and in a radiation environment, are discussed. Chapter 6 treats the design of nuclear rocket engines of the Kiwi and Nerva types, including shielding requirements, stress analysis, propellant heating, nozzle design, and engine control. Chapter 7 describes advanced propulsion systems, among them liquid core reactor systems, gaseous core reactor systems, nuclear pulse systems, nuclear-electric systems, thermonuclear systems, and photon systems. Liquid core and electric systems are analyzed in considerable detail; the others are treated more qualitatively. Chapter 8, rightfully the longest chapter in the book, deals with power conversion. Thermoelectric, thermionic, iissionfragment, magneto-hydro-dynamic, and other means of conversion axe discussed and compared. None of the presently existing converter systems is as yet quite satisfactory; it is likely that the thermionic converter will eventually be the preferred system for space use. Chapter 9 describes some of the facts and processes of nuclear weapons, including blast effects, radiation doses, and radiation damage effects. In the last chapter, space environment, particularly the radiation hazard in space, is described. Thermal radiations, solar particle radiations, the Van Allen Belts, artificial radiation belts, cosmic radiations, and possibilities of protection against radiations and meteoroids are discussed in some detail. A collection of very valuable conversion tables, and of tables with physical constants, concludes the book. Each chapter contains a list of problems for students, and numerous references. Nuclear Energy in Space will be particularly useful for the planner of space programs who wishes to inform himself quickly of the scope and status of any part of the wide field outlined by the book's title. The specialist will value the book because it shows how his particular area compares with related areas; and the teacher will benefit from it since many of its chapters will make excellent teaching material. ERNST STu I-ILINGER
National Aeronautics and Space A dministration George C. Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, Alabama
387
"One of the primary factors that will establish the pace and scope of future space activity is the availability of suitable sources of energy . . . . " These words with which F. K. Pittman from the Atomic Energy Commission introduces E. S. Pedersen's Nuclear Energy in Space underline the significance of a comprehensive data and fact book on a subject whose importance for the further development of space flight cannot be overestimated. With the imminent availability of giant carrier rockets, and with the rapid development of comm,mication, television, weather, reconnaissance, and exploration systems for space use, the requirement for nuclear-electric energy in space becomes more pressing every day. In fact, the '%ooster gap" is about to be closed; the "payload gap" is diminishing rapidly; but the "power gap" looms over the horizon as the factor which will not only set, but decisively slow down the pace of our space exploration program a few years hence. For this reason alone, Pedersen's book will be greeted with enthusiasm by all concerned with space flight development. The book covers the entire field of nuclear energy in space. Many numerical examples, as well as a profusion of diagrams and pictures, enrich the text, and it is obvious that the author has contributed to the field a great number of his own original ideas, theories and suggestions. The introduction offers a survey of the U. S. programs in nuclear propulsion and in nuclear-electric space power supplies. Chapter 2 deals with nuclear propulsion, including mission analysis for nuclear planetary flight. Chapter 3 goes deeply into the theories of heat transfer and fluid flow, and into reactor fuel element design. Chapter 4 presents the theory of nuclear reactors in a descriptive, rather non-mathematical, but very readable and useful form. In Chapter 5, the properties of many materials are described in connection with reactor and power supply design. In particular, their properties at high tempera-
tures, and in a radiation environment, are discussed. Chapter 6 treats the design of nuclear rocket engines of the Kiwi and Nerva types, including shielding requirements, stress analysis, propellant heating, nozzle design, and engine control. Chapter 7 describes advanced propulsion systems, among them liquid core reactor systems, gaseous core reactor systems, nuclear pulse systems, nuclear-electric systems, thermonuclear systems, and photon systems. Liquid core and electric systems are analyzed in considerable detail; the others are treated more qualitatively. Chapter 8, rightfully the longest chapter in the book, deals with power conversion. Thermoelectric, thermionic, iissionfragment, magneto-hydro-dynamic, and other means of conversion axe discussed and compared. None of the presently existing converter systems is as yet quite satisfactory; it is likely that the thermionic converter will eventually be the preferred system for space use. Chapter 9 describes some of the facts and processes of nuclear weapons, including blast effects, radiation doses, and radiation damage effects. In the last chapter, space environment, particularly the radiation hazard in space, is described. Thermal radiations, solar particle radiations, the Van Allen Belts, artificial radiation belts, cosmic radiations, and possibilities of protection against radiations and meteoroids are discussed in some detail. A collection of very valuable conversion tables, and of tables with physical constants, concludes the book. Each chapter contains a list of problems for students, and numerous references. Nuclear Energy in Space will be particularly useful for the planner of space programs who wishes to inform himself quickly of the scope and status of any part of the wide field outlined by the book's title. The specialist will value the book because it shows how his particular area compares with related areas; and the teacher will benefit from it since many of its chapters will make excellent teaching material. ERNST STu I-ILINGER
National Aeronautics and Space A dministration George C. Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, Alabama
387