Nuclear Science

Usefulness of Space Power Research to Ground-Based Nuclear Reactor Systems Gao ID: RCED-89-17 December 6, 1988

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO surveyed nuclear power systems experts on the potential usefulness of space nuclear power systems research to the development of civilian terrestrial nuclear power systems.

GAO found that: (1) experts expected that the Department of Energy's (DOE) SP-100 Space Power Program and Multimegawatt Space Nuclear Power Program (MMW) would provide useful knowledge to: (1) advanced liquid metal- and gas-cooled terrestrial reactor development in the areas of fuel and fuel systems, materials, heat transport, instrumentation, control methodology, safety, reliability, and modeling and analysis techniques; and (2) water-cooled terrestrial systems only in generic areas, such as reactor instrumentation and control, since space power research involved liquid metal and gas concepts. GAO also found that: (1) design differences between space and terrestrial hardware components limited technology transfer; and (2) SP-100 was less likely than MMW to produce useful technology. In addition, GAO found that the degree of technology transfer depended on: (1) DOE dissemination of space power research results; (2) sufficient funding of space and advanced terrestrial programs; and (3) the resolution of institutional problems, including problems with licensing, financing, and public perception.



The Justia Government Accountability Office site republishes public reports retrieved from the U.S. GAO These reports should not be considered official, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Justia.