Timberwind
Timberwind was a US - DARPA program to develop a nuclear rocket engine for use under the SDI program. The project ended in 1992. The predecessor of this project was the NERVA project, which ended in 1972 .
The development of a powerful compact reactor with spherical fuel assemblies ( pebble bed reactor ) was connected with the Multi-Megawatt (MMW) project, the aim of which was to generate high electrical energy in space for a longer period of time, as was intended for SDI energy weapons .
The Timberwind rocket was to be used as the second stage (Timberwind 45) on an Atlas rocket and in the Timberwind 250 version on a Titan rocket .
Technical specifications
- Type: Timberwind 250 rocket stage
- Gross weight: 170 t
- Empty weight: 45 t
- Thrust: 245 kN
- Burning time: 493 s
- Specific impulse (vacuum): 1,000 s
- Diameter: 8.70 m
- Length: 30 m
- Fuel: Nuclear with spherical fuel elements / liquid hydrogen
See also
Web links
- Timberwind in the Encyclopedia Astronautica (English)
- Overview of nuclear energy in space / nuclear thermal engines - with u. a. several texts about Timberwind (English)
- General structure of a nuclear drive.