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ChazH
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How do nuclear reactors used to power satellites and such operate in zero gravity?
ChazH said:How do nuclear reactors used to power satellites and such operate in zero gravity?
fatra2 said:... For powering sattelites, since they are in almost without gravity, you need very little force to correct their trajectory. Therefore, with just a little bit of power, you can deviate a satellite, and put it back into a correct trajectory.
Cheers
gmax137 said:Think of a satellite orbiting at a altitude of, say, 200 miles. The gravitational force on the satellite is (4000 / 4200)^2 or 91 percent of the force of gravity it feels at sea level. Freefall isn't the same as "no gravity."
Correct. Nuclear power systems in space are typically RTGs, which have traditionally used isotopic decay, e.g. alpha decay of Pu-238 as a heat source.Mech_Engineer said:Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't most space-faring vehices use Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTG) rather than full-fledged nuclear fission reactors?
From what I understand, the American SNAP-10A and Soviet RORSAT are the only fully-fledged nuclear reactors ever launched.
gmax137 said:What I was trying to say is, moving to a higher orbit requires nearly as much work (91% in the case of an orbit initially at 200 miles above the surface) as it does at sea level. Contrary to the previous post which says that in the absence of gravity such maneuvers require little power. Am I wrong about that?
A nuclear reactor in zero gravity is a type of nuclear reactor that is designed to operate in outer space or in a microgravity environment, where the force of gravity is significantly reduced or completely absent. These reactors use nuclear fission to generate heat and produce electricity, and they are primarily used to power spacecraft and space stations.
In a nuclear reactor in zero gravity, the nuclear fuel is contained in a core that is surrounded by a neutron reflector and a heat transfer fluid. When the nuclear fuel undergoes fission, it releases energy in the form of heat, which is transferred to the heat transfer fluid. This fluid then circulates through the reactor and is used to power a turbine, which generates electricity.
Using a nuclear reactor in zero gravity has several benefits. It can provide a steady and reliable source of power for long-duration space missions, as it does not rely on solar energy or other external sources. It also has a higher power density and is more efficient compared to other types of power sources used in space, such as solar panels.
The main risk associated with a nuclear reactor in zero gravity is a potential nuclear meltdown, which could release harmful radiation into the spacecraft or space station. To mitigate this risk, these reactors are designed with multiple layers of safety features, including automatic shutdown systems and passive cooling mechanisms.
Currently, there is ongoing research and development to improve the design and safety features of nuclear reactors in zero gravity. This includes using new materials that can withstand the extreme conditions of space and developing more efficient methods for managing and disposing of nuclear waste produced by these reactors.