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Aerospace Nuclear Science & Technology
Organized to promote the advancement of knowledge in the use of nuclear science and technologies in the aerospace application. Specialized nuclear-based technologies and applications are needed to advance the state-of-the-art in aerospace design, engineering and operations to explore planetary bodies in our solar system and beyond, plus enhance the safety of air travel, especially high speed air travel. Areas of interest will include but are not limited to the creation of nuclear-based power and propulsion systems, multifunctional materials to protect humans and electronic components from atmospheric, space, and nuclear power system radiation, human factor strategies for the safety and reliable operation of nuclear power and propulsion plants by non-specialized personnel and more.
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
Proving DRACO will deliver
The United States is now closer than it has been in over five decades to launching the first nuclear thermal rocket into space, thanks to DRACO—the Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Orbit.
W.R. Baker, G. Marchiori, S. Peruzzo, P. Sonato, P. Zaccaria, G. Zollino
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 30 | Number 3 | December 1996 | Pages 764-768
Plasma-Facing Components: Analysis and Technology | doi.org/10.13182/FST96-A11963027
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The inner surface of the RFX vacuum vessel is protected by a first wall made up by 2016 polycrystalline graphite tiles. Due to the dimensions of the largest ports, inspection, maintenance and replacement of the first wall components can be carried out only by a remote handling system. Inspections performed during the first four years of operation showed evidence of some plasma surface interaction not only on the graphite tiles, but also on small portions of the vacuum vessel in the interspace between two tiles. Erosion phenomena were observed in the area which corresponds to the insulated poloidal gaps of the stabilizing shell that surrounds the vacuum vessel. New graphite tiles to be installed in these regions were designed, with a shape which completely closes the interspace in the poloidal direction between the tiles. During the last shut down, in 1995, all the 112 tiles were successfully replaced by means of the remote handling system.