All Spun Up: Using Cyclonic Swirls to Enhance Nuclear Rockets
Disciplines
Propulsion and Power
Abstract (300 words maximum)
The human pursuit of deep-space exploration, commercialization, and colonization demands faster, more efficient propulsion systems. Achieving speeds of at least 20% of the speed of light is essential, but current chemical propulsion technologies only reach 3.7x10⁻⁵ percent of this velocity. Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) systems offer a promising alternative, potentially cutting Mars transit times in half (four months instead of nine) and enabling immediate return-to-Earth options—something chemical rockets cannot provide. However, historical data from the Rover and NERVA (Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Applications) programs (1955-1972) show that NTP systems face challenges, including structural degradation at 2700 K and transient delays of 30 to 60 seconds during startup and shutdown, which extend burn duration.
Introducing Toroidal Vortex Engines (TVE) may alleviate these issues by diverting hot exhaust gases from the reactor exit, reducing thermal stress. Vortex Combustion Cold-Wall (VCCW) chamber studies in chemical rockets suggest that TVE could mitigate thermal radiation impacts and shorten startup/shutdown times in NTP systems. We are developing computer-based models to compare with historical Rover/NERVA data, serving as a baseline for future compressible flow Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations using the Reynolds Stress Model (RSM) on TVE-enhanced NTP systems.
This research has the potential to revolutionize space travel, reducing mission times to the outer Solar System or beyond, and paving the way for future technologies in propulsion and energy, including fusion-based rockets.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
SPCEET - Mechanical Engineering
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Dr. Gaurav Sharma
All Spun Up: Using Cyclonic Swirls to Enhance Nuclear Rockets
The human pursuit of deep-space exploration, commercialization, and colonization demands faster, more efficient propulsion systems. Achieving speeds of at least 20% of the speed of light is essential, but current chemical propulsion technologies only reach 3.7x10⁻⁵ percent of this velocity. Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) systems offer a promising alternative, potentially cutting Mars transit times in half (four months instead of nine) and enabling immediate return-to-Earth options—something chemical rockets cannot provide. However, historical data from the Rover and NERVA (Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Applications) programs (1955-1972) show that NTP systems face challenges, including structural degradation at 2700 K and transient delays of 30 to 60 seconds during startup and shutdown, which extend burn duration.
Introducing Toroidal Vortex Engines (TVE) may alleviate these issues by diverting hot exhaust gases from the reactor exit, reducing thermal stress. Vortex Combustion Cold-Wall (VCCW) chamber studies in chemical rockets suggest that TVE could mitigate thermal radiation impacts and shorten startup/shutdown times in NTP systems. We are developing computer-based models to compare with historical Rover/NERVA data, serving as a baseline for future compressible flow Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations using the Reynolds Stress Model (RSM) on TVE-enhanced NTP systems.
This research has the potential to revolutionize space travel, reducing mission times to the outer Solar System or beyond, and paving the way for future technologies in propulsion and energy, including fusion-based rockets.