DescriptionAEC-70-8706 IN A TYPICAL NUCLEAR ROCKET ENGINE, as now under development by the Atomic Energy Commission and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the flow of hydrogen necessary to produce thrust starts from the propellant tank shown at the right in this sketch. This hydrogen is stored in liquid form in the tank, at a temperature of approximately -420° F. From the tank, the hydrogen is pumped through the engine by the turbopump. As indicated by the arrows, the flow proceeds through the nozzle shell, the reactor neutron reflector, through the uranium-fuel reactor core, where it is heated to approximately 4,000° F., and out of the nozzle to produce engine thrust. During engine operation, the hydrogen flawing through the nozzle wall and reflector is used as a coolant to keep the temperature of these components at a safe level. The reactor will be about the size of an office desk. Credit: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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