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Conference Spotlight
2026 Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
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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
Atomic museum benefits from L&A donation
Longenecker & Associates has announced a $500,000 pledge from John and Bonnie Longenecker to the National Atomic Testing Museum in Las Vegas, Nev. The contribution will strengthen the museum’s missions to inform the public about America’s national security legacy and current programs and to inspire students, educators, and young professionals pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Lee Mason, Steve Oleson, David Jacobson, Paul Schmitz, Lou Qualls, Michael Smith, Brian Ade, Jorge Navarro
Nuclear Technology | Volume 208 | Number 1 | December 2022 | Pages S52-S66
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.1080/00295450.2022.2045180
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Under the Mars Transportation Assessment Study, NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy are performing analyses and generating concepts for crewed nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) missions to Mars. This paper presents the results of trade studies and concept development for the nuclear electric power system, consisting of the fission reactor, radiation shielding, power conversion, heat rejection, and power management and distribution (PMAD). The nuclear power team completed trade studies to evaluate different reactor and power conversion technologies and developed preliminary concepts for the crew shielding, waste heat radiators, and PMAD. The initial results suggest that a modified terrestrial microreactor combined with supercritical CO2 Brayton conversion could be used to perform the crew and cargo missions with satisfactory performance and modest risk. The paper includes preliminary development strategies that could bring the NEP technology to fruition for Mars missions in the late 2030s or early 2040s.