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MajorDakka t1_j9kj88j wrote

Reply to comment by Omegaprimus in DARPA is Reigniting the Nuclear Engine by Afrin_Drip

Sort of? The article doesn't state whether it's going to be open cycle or closed cycle.

But I'm assuming it's going to be a closed cycle solid core nuclear thermal rocket so presumably, no irradiation plume in the exhaust.

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Triabolical_ t1_j9rmg4t wrote

There's no shielding behind the reactor so there's a ton of radiation coming out. The hydrogen won't be radioactive.

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MajorDakka t1_j9rorrt wrote

For solid core NTRs, the exhaust hydrogen being irradiated isnt the worry, it's that the pieces of the core may be eroded and present in the exhaust.

Also no shadow shields for crew?

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