Use, Prospects Of Nuclear Energy For Satellite/ Space Travel
A satellite is an object that goes around, or orbits, a larger object such as a Planet, while there are natural satellites, like the moon, hundreds of man-made satellites also orbit the Earth. Communications antennae, Radio receivers and transmitters enable the satellite to communicate
with one or more ground stations, called Command centers. Messages sent to satellite from a ground station are "uplinked" and messages transmitted to Earth from Satellite are "Downlinked".
Many Satellites are powered by rechargeable batteries, taking advantage of the ultimate battery charger, The Sun. Silvery solar panels are main features on many satellites. Other satellites have fuel cells that convert chemical energy to electrical energy, while a few rely on Nuclear energy. Small thrusters provide altitude, attitude and propulsion control to modify and stabilize the satellites in space.
Nuclear Thermal propulsion rocket engine would use a small nuclear reactor to generate heat from nuclear fuel. That Thermal energy would then be transferred to a liquid propellant, probably liquid
Hydrogen, which expands into a gas and is shot out through a nozzle to produce thrust.
The independence and longevity of Nuclear energy methods makes it more superior than any other power source currently used in space travel. Two types of Nuclear energy methods used in space travel are -
1. RTGs ( Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators) - Generate power to fuel spacecraft through the heat of Plutonium 238 which proves to be an asset while exploring outer space. Despite its long lasting energy source, RTGs are not as efficient at converting this heat into electrical power. Nonetheless, RTGs have been proved to be well equipped to withstand the harsh conditions into deep space.
2. Fission Reactors - These reactors release heat from Nuclear fission and thereby create energy to power spacecraft. These reactors are able to create much larger amounts of energy than RTGs but require more maintenance with its control. when launched into deep space.
Fission involves splitting of Atomic Nuclei in a controlled chain reaction to produce energy. Conventional power stations and generating plants on Nuclear submarines and ships use the technique to make electricity. It is a well established but not incident-free science. In the fusion process, Nuclei of Atoms are forced together to release energy. It is what powers the Sun and the Hydrogen Bomb.
It is evident that Nuclear Energy not only has the durability to endure the extreme conditions of outer space, but also provides spacecraft long lasting power to make the lengthy trip within our solar system.
Research beyond -
Despite the Multi-Billion Dollar global effort that has gone into Fusion Research over the past half century, no one has yet built a Fusion Reactor that produces more energy than you put in, though various concepts (like Helium 3 Gas) for fusion engines have been proposed.
If a viable Fusion Reactor can be developed, we could see a Nuclear Powered ship heading out of
our immediate cosmic neighborhood to Stars and Planets beyond within the next century.
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with one or more ground stations, called Command centers. Messages sent to satellite from a ground station are "uplinked" and messages transmitted to Earth from Satellite are "Downlinked".
Many Satellites are powered by rechargeable batteries, taking advantage of the ultimate battery charger, The Sun. Silvery solar panels are main features on many satellites. Other satellites have fuel cells that convert chemical energy to electrical energy, while a few rely on Nuclear energy. Small thrusters provide altitude, attitude and propulsion control to modify and stabilize the satellites in space.
Nuclear Thermal propulsion rocket engine would use a small nuclear reactor to generate heat from nuclear fuel. That Thermal energy would then be transferred to a liquid propellant, probably liquid
Hydrogen, which expands into a gas and is shot out through a nozzle to produce thrust.
The independence and longevity of Nuclear energy methods makes it more superior than any other power source currently used in space travel. Two types of Nuclear energy methods used in space travel are -
1. RTGs ( Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators) - Generate power to fuel spacecraft through the heat of Plutonium 238 which proves to be an asset while exploring outer space. Despite its long lasting energy source, RTGs are not as efficient at converting this heat into electrical power. Nonetheless, RTGs have been proved to be well equipped to withstand the harsh conditions into deep space.
2. Fission Reactors - These reactors release heat from Nuclear fission and thereby create energy to power spacecraft. These reactors are able to create much larger amounts of energy than RTGs but require more maintenance with its control. when launched into deep space.
Fission involves splitting of Atomic Nuclei in a controlled chain reaction to produce energy. Conventional power stations and generating plants on Nuclear submarines and ships use the technique to make electricity. It is a well established but not incident-free science. In the fusion process, Nuclei of Atoms are forced together to release energy. It is what powers the Sun and the Hydrogen Bomb.
It is evident that Nuclear Energy not only has the durability to endure the extreme conditions of outer space, but also provides spacecraft long lasting power to make the lengthy trip within our solar system.
Research beyond -
Despite the Multi-Billion Dollar global effort that has gone into Fusion Research over the past half century, no one has yet built a Fusion Reactor that produces more energy than you put in, though various concepts (like Helium 3 Gas) for fusion engines have been proposed.
If a viable Fusion Reactor can be developed, we could see a Nuclear Powered ship heading out of
our immediate cosmic neighborhood to Stars and Planets beyond within the next century.
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