核能在未来载人航天中的应用

Application of Nuclear Energy in Future Manned Space Flight

核能作为一种长时可靠的能源系统,释放的巨大能量为航天器跨星系超远距飞行提供了可能。基于当前核科学与技术发展趋势并结合我国载人航天具体需求,从核电源与核推进2个方面梳理了空间核动力近60年来的发展历程与现状,包括近地轨道卫星、空间站、核热推进以及星表电源等方面的应用。空间反应堆电源具有能量密度高、机动性高、尺寸小及环境适应能力强等优点,管冷却空间堆与斯特林结合方式是核反应堆电源发展的热点;核热推进具有比冲高、推力大、长寿命、初始有效载荷小等优点,采用金属陶瓷燃料的固体堆芯是核热推进研究的热点。论述了核能在未来载人航天技术中的应用,可为空间核动力的发展提供参考。

As a long-term and reliable energy system,the nuclear energy can provide enormous energy for spacecraft traveling across the galaxy and enable massive space transportation.Based on the trend of nuclear science and technology and the specific needs of China’s manned space flight,the development and the current status of space nuclear power in the past 60 years were reviewed in the aspects of nuclear-electric power supply and nuclear propulsion,covering applications in the Low earth orbit satellites,space stations,nuclear thermal propulsion and planetary surface power.Nuclear-electric power supply has the advantages of high energy density,high mobility,small size and strong environmental adaptability;while the nuclear thermal propulsion features the advantages of high specific impulse,large thrust,long life and small initial payload.The application prospects of nuclear energy in manned space flight was expounded which may serve as a reference for the development of space nuclear power.