核热火箭发动机技术发展态势分析与启示

Development status and prospect of nuclear thermal rocket engine technology

为解决航天任务中太阳能利用困难和化学能能力瓶颈的问题,发展空间核动力势在必行。核热火箭发动机具有运行能量转换效率高、推力调节范围广、比冲大、长驻留、启动快、可多次启停等优点,近年来再次成为国内外研究热点。通过回顾美俄在核热火箭发动机技术上的发展历程,梳理涉及的反应堆、发动机、推进剂管理、地面试验、系统仿真与核安全等相关的关键技术,总结美俄核热火箭发动机发展的启示,为未来空间核热火箭发动机的规划论证与技术研发提出发展建议。

In order to address the challenges of solar energy utilization and the limitations of chemical energy capacity in space missions,it is crucial to develop space nuclear power.The nuclear thermal rocket engine system offers numerous advantages,including high energy conversion efficiency,a wide range of thrust regulation,large specific impulse,long residence time,quick start-up,and the ability for multiple start-stop cycles.This system has emerged as a prominent research focus both domestically and internationally in recent years.The development of nuclear thermal rocket engine technology in the United States and Russia was reviewed.It summarized the key technologies involved in reactor,engine,propellant management,ground test,system simulation,and nuclear safety.Additionally,it outlined the insights gained from the development of nuclear thermal rocket engine in the United States and Russia,and provided suggestions for future planning,demonstration,and technical research and development of nuclear thermal rocket engine.