SUSEE - ultra light nuclear space power using the steam cycle

A near term, ultra lightweight nuclear space power system (SUSEE) using existing water cooled reactor/steam cycle technology is proposed. SUSEE uses an innovative new lightweight condensing radiator that can operate in zero g, with /spl sim/1 m/sup 2//KW(e), 10 times smaller than other concepts. With standard 1000 F, 1000 psi superheated steam, 80% turbine efficiency and 2 atm condenser pressure, SUSEE has 24% thermal efficiency. SUSEE can deliver powers from a few kilowatts to multi-megawatts, with very small reactors (a 1 MW(e) reactor has 40 cm OD). SUSEE's radiator is a flexible assembly of thin metal strips (Al or Be) with internally grooved channels for the steam/water condensate. It can be rolled into a compact launch package and unrolled in space.