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Materials Science & Technology
The objectives of MSTD are: promote the advancement of materials science in Nuclear Science Technology; support the multidisciplines which constitute it; encourage research by providing a forum for the presentation, exchange, and documentation of relevant information; promote the interaction and communication among its members; and recognize and reward its members for significant contributions to the field of materials science in nuclear technology.
Meeting Spotlight
2024 ANS Annual Conference
June 16–19, 2024
Las Vegas, NV|Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
Standards Program
The Standards Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of voluntary consensus standards that address the design, analysis, and operation of components, systems, and facilities related to the application of nuclear science and technology. Find out What’s New, check out the Standards Store, or Get Involved today!
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Latest News
NRC wants input on Hermes 2 test reactor construction permit
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is seeking input on its draft environmental assessment and draft finding of no significant impact for Kairos Power’s application to build the Hermes 2 test reactor facility in Oak Ridge, Tenn.
R. J. Lawrence, J. T. Kare, R. M. Zazworsky, D. K. Monroe
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 20 | Number 4 | December 1991 | Pages 714-718
Space Nuclear Power/Propulsion | doi.org/10.13182/FST91-A11946924
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The use of ground-based lasers to launch small payloads but large total masses into low-Earth orbit may prove to be the most innovative and potentially economical approach for accomplishing this important mission. Of the several possible schemes for laser propulsion, two are examined: (1) ablative momentum transfer using pulsed lasers; and (2) heat exchanger thrusters in conjunction with CW lasers. For an entry-level payload of ~50 kg it is found that the former yields payload-to-power ratios of < 0.5 kg/MW with a requirement for an average laser power of at least 100 MW, whereas the latter might yield 1 to 3 kg/MW with a laser power of several 10s of MW. One of the promising approaches that could yield a driver for such a system is the reactor-pumped laser FALCON, which scales to these power levels with the potential for long run times.