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Advanced Power Sources for Space Missions (1989) / Chapter Skim
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Executive Summary
Pages 1-5

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
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From page 1...
... Study results indicate that practical fulfillment of SDI requirements will necessitate substantial advances in the state of the art of power technology. SDI goals include the capability to operate space-based beam weapons, sometimes referred to as directed-energy weapons.
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From page 2...
... . ~ A space nuclear reactor power system, such as the SP-100 system presently being developed, would be a step toward meeting SDI requirements and would be applicable to other civil and military space missions.
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From page 3...
... The committee arrived at the following recommendations: Recommendation 1 (Chapter 4~: Using the latest available infonnation, an in-depth, full-vehicle-eystem preliniinary design study- for two substantially different candidate power systems for a common weapon platform Should be performed now, in order to reveal secondary or tertiary requirements and limitations in the technology base that are not readily apparent ~ the current Mace power architecture system studies. Care should be exercised in estate fishing viable technical assumptions and performance requirements, including survivability, maintainability, availability, ramp-rate, voTtage, current, torque, effluents, and so on.
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From page 4...
... Such an orbital "wall sockets could power a number of scientific and engineering experiments. It would concurrently provide experience relevant to practical operation of a space power system similar to systems that might be required by the SDI alert and burst modes.
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From page 5...
... This program based on a multlyear federal commitment shown be at least as large as the present combined NASA, Department of Defense (DOD, including SDIO) , and Department of Energy space power programs, independent of the extent to which SD!
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Key Terms

  • power requirements
  • space missions
  • nuclear reactor
  • power sources
  • burst mode

  • sdi alert
  • candidate power
  • durations favor
  • military space
  • alert mode

  • energy requirements
  • sdi power
  • sdi requirements
  • power architecture
  • reactor power

  • sdi space
  • viable technical
  • concepts appears
  • total energy
  • space experiments

  • experience relevant
  • maximum extent
  • satisfy national
  • commitment shown
  • program based

  • address questions
  • mace power
  • power programs
  • sdi spacecraft
  • viable option


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