Assessment of the Applicability of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) as a Start-up/Restart Reactor for Nuclear Fusion Rocket Propulsion Engines (NFRPEs)

Nuclear fusion as a power source is becoming a reality and the next step is its use as propulsion for interplanetary spacecraft. Once solved, fusion will have the highest specific power (kW/kg) of any other type of power production. Spacecraft propelled by Nuclear Fusion Rocket Propulsion Engines (NFRPE) will need a power source both to start and to sustain the reaction. An assessment was performed of 78 Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), analyzing and quantifying their ability to be adapted for use in this application. It was shown that UK SMR had the best potential with 92% applicability, the Stable S. R. Wasteburner SMR with 89%, eight SMRs (ACP100, CAP150, CANDU SMRTM, NUWARDTM, RITM-200M, GTHTR300, MHR-T, and SVBR-100) with 86%. Further research is required to determine the exact requirements for a Start-up/Re-Start Reactor. © 2022 British Interplanetary Society. All rights reserved.