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Assessment of the facilities on Jackass Flats and other Nevada test site facilities for the new nuclear rocket program

1993; American Institute of Physics; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1063/1.43082

1935-0465

George Chandler, Don Collins, Ken Dye, Craig Eberhart, M. V. Hynes, Richard Kovach, Robert Ortiz, Jake Perea, Donald R. Sherman,

Nuclear reactor physics and engineering

Recent NASA/DOE studies for the Space Exploration Initiative have demonstrated a critical need for the ground‐based testing of nuclear rocket engines. Experience in the ROVER/NERVA Program, experience in the Nuclear Weapons Testing Program, and involvement in the new nuclear rocket program has motivated our detailed assessment of the facilities used for the ROVER/NERVA Program and other facilities located at the Nevada Test Site (NTS). The ROVER/NERVA facilities are located in the Nevada Research & Development Area (NRDA) on Jackass Flats at NTS, approximately 85 miles northwest of Las Vegas. To guide our assessment of facilities for an engine testing program we have defined a program goal, scope, and process. In particular we have assumed that the program goal will be to certify a full engine system design as flight test ready. All nuclear and non‐nuclear components will be individually certified as ready for such a test at sites remote from the NRDA facilities, the components transported to NRDA, and the engine assembled. We also assume that engines of 25,000–100,000 lb thrust levels will be tested with burn times of 1 hour or longer. After a test, the engine will be disassembled, time critical inspections will be executed, and a selection of components will be transported to remote inspection sites. The majority of the components will be stored for future inspection at Jackass Flats. To execute this program scope and process will require ten facilities. We considered the use of all relevant facilities at NTS including existing and new tunnels as well as the facilities at NRDA. Aside from the facilities located at remote sites and the inter‐site transportation system, all of the required facilities are available at NRDA. In particular we have studied the refurbishment of E‐MAD, ETS‐1, R‐MAD, and the interconnecting railroad. The total cost for such a refurbishment we estimate to be about $253M which includes additional contractor fees related to indirect, construction management, profit, contingency, and management reserves. This figure also includes the cost of the required NEPA, safety, and security documentation.