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NASA Successfully Tests New Nuclear Reactor For Future Space Travelers (npr.org)
An anonymous reader quotes a report from NPR: NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy say they have successfully tested a new type of nuclear reactor that could one day provide juice to colonies on other worlds. The reactor can power several homes and appears able to operate in harsh environments. The new reactor uses more-conventional uranium fuel. Using a "core" about the size of a paper towel roll, the reactor can turn pistons that can run a generator. The generator can put out about 10 kilowatts of electrical power -- enough to run a few small homes. Scientists believe it could run continuously for a decade or so, making deep space travel a lot simpler. They also gave it a catchy acronym: KRUSTY, which stands for Kilopower Reactor Using Stirling TechnologY.
To see if it actually worked, scientists tested KRUSTY out in the Nevada desert on America's old nuclear test range. They put KRUSTY through its paces, culminating in a 28-hour test at full power. The team also simulated failures in KRUSTY's reactor components to show it wouldn't result in a meltdown on Mars. KRUSTY may find its way onto future space probes. Researchers say they might use an ensemble of four or five of the reactors to power colonies on the moon (which has 14-day nights, when the sun isn't available) or Mars.
To see if it actually worked, scientists tested KRUSTY out in the Nevada desert on America's old nuclear test range. They put KRUSTY through its paces, culminating in a 28-hour test at full power. The team also simulated failures in KRUSTY's reactor components to show it wouldn't result in a meltdown on Mars. KRUSTY may find its way onto future space probes. Researchers say they might use an ensemble of four or five of the reactors to power colonies on the moon (which has 14-day nights, when the sun isn't available) or Mars.
there's a difference between peak load and average load. your furnace does not run all the time. Not even most of the time. Moreover this thing is going to give off much more than 10KW of heat in addition to the electricity. So it is the furnace too. Examine your power bill. A typical 1 bedroom electric bill is $50/month in states with cheap electricity and taxes. that's less than 500KW/hours per month. not per day
Some drink at the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.
I don't know what kind of house they are powering, but without natural gas or propane for the water header and furnace, 10kw isn't going to cut it for one home much less multiple homes. I use a 14kw generator on my house. It's capable of running my well water pump, 2 ton A/C, and incidental loads. It cannot run the hot water heater, 4 ton A/C, Oven, dryer, etc.
The idea of the neighborhood reactors. They were to be powered by uranium hydride and be the size of a garden shed. Did these ever come to fruition?
No, Hyperion renamed themselves to Gen4 and are still seeking approval for their design, which I predict will happen approximately never.
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
The first photovoltaic cell actually predates the discovery of nuclear fission by almost 100 years. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmond_Becquerel#The_first_photovoltaic_device.
Perhaps you missed the news where SpaceX is going to land cargo on Mars in 2022 and humans will arrive soon after. They will need power.
I find it amazing that in this day and age we still have not figured out how to pull energy directly from the source. A nuclear reactor is just a fancy steam engine that uses hot rocks to generate steam. Surely there is a way to harness the radiation as an energy source that doesn't involve using the waste heat.
"A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it." - K