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Family: Nerva. Country: USA. Status: Development 1992.
DARPA project. Nuclear fission engine using spherical fuel elements.
SpecificationsLEO Payload: 63,636 kg. to: 155 km Orbit. Liftoff Thrust: 1,396,380 kgf. Total Mass: 900,840 kg. Core Diameter: 6.1 m. Total Length: 55.0 m. Flyaway Unit Cost $: 166.66 million. in 1985 unit dollars.
- Stage Number: 0. 2 x Titan USRM Gross Mass: 357,239 kg. Empty Mass: 52,040 kg. Thrust (vac): 770,975 kgf. Isp: 286 sec. Burn time: 140 sec. Isp(sl): 259 sec. Diameter: 3.2 m. Span: 3.2 m. Length: 33.5 m. Propellants: Solid No Engines: 1. USRM
- Stage Number: 1. 1 x Timberwind 75 Gross Mass: 110,000 kg. Empty Mass: 28,500 kg. Thrust (vac): 225,000 kgf. Isp: 1,000 sec. Burn time: 357 sec. Isp(sl): 890 sec. Diameter: 6.1 m. Span: 6.1 m. Length: 45.5 m. Propellants: Nuclear/LH2 No Engines: 3. Timberwind 75
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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