In-space nuclear power systems are under consideration for missions that need lots of power. Recent work in Thermophotovoltaic (TPV) cells indicates that they may be a mass efficient option for converting a nuclear reactor’s thermal energy into electrical energy. This paper brief
Selection note: Curated for its thermophotovoltaic-versus-Brayton comparison and the resulting reactor, electronics, fluid-loop, heat-exchanger, and radiator integration trades.
Evidence boundary: NTRS lists open full text, but the conceptual Earth-to-Mars trade was not independently recalculated and does not establish reactor or converter readiness. It is civil systems context, not claim evidence.
Stable record
ntrs-20220016675
Topic
power-thermal
Type
Conference Paper
Publisher
Marshall Space Flight Center
Authors
T E Brooks; L L Fabisinski; M A Rodriguez
Year
2022
Editorial state
metadata curated editorial draft
Reviewer
GShips Project editorial synthesis
Official link checked
2026-07-25
Source-supplied abstract
In-space nuclear power systems are under consideration for missions that need lots of power. Recent work in Thermophotovoltaic (TPV) cells indicates that they may be a mass efficient option for converting a nuclear reactor’s thermal energy into electrical energy. This paper briefly trades TPV versus a Brayton Cycle in the context of a conceptual Earth-to-Mars transportation system. The selection of the heat engine primarily impacts the design of the nuclear reactor, power handling electronics, fluid loops, heat exchangers, and thermal radiator, so the impact to these subsystems is also considered. The mass and electrical power generation are the primary figures of merit compared between the two alternatives, and qualitative differences are discussed.
Abstract text has not been adopted as a GShips conclusion.
What would change this record?
A newer or corrected version, a retraction, a verified duplicate, a material topic mismatch, a changed access state, or claim-level review would trigger a dated editorial update.
NTRS lists open full text, but the conceptual Earth-to-Mars trade was not independently recalculated and does not establish reactor or converter readiness. It is civil systems context, not claim evidence.
Source-supplied titles, abstracts, authors, and dates may require correction against the canonical full text.
What would change this page?
A newer or corrected version, retraction, verified duplicate, material topic mismatch, changed access state, or claim-level assessment would change this record.
People, review, and conflicts
Prepared by
GShips Project
Editorial status
metadata-curated-editorial-draft
Editorial reviewer
GShips Project editorial synthesis
Last editorial review
No editorial-review date recorded
Independent review
pending
Independent reviewer
No independent reviewer assigned
Last independent review
No independent-review date exists
Last content edit
Not recorded separately
Official source or link verified
2026-07-25
Declared conflicts
The maintainer intends to explore a commercial venture based on some GShips work. No entity, outside funding, customer, sponsor, or indexed-organization relationship currently exists.