Nuclear-powered rocket research could send astronauts to Mars

By MARY ANN ALBRIGHT
Gazette-Times reporter

Humans have yet to walk on Mars, but students at Oregon State University and Western Oregon University hope their unique nuclear reactor will help make space travel to the red planet a reality.

NASA is working on a plasma rocket for a Mars voyage, but the space craft needs a power source. That's where the OSU-WOU Microgravity Flight Team comes in.

"A plasma rocket relies on a nuclear-powered propulsion system, which requires a nuclear reactor," said Marci Whittaker-Fiamengo, team member and a senior in nuclear engineering at OSU. "We're designing an option for that reactor."

The five-member OSU contingent works closely with six students from WOU; WOU's group includes one high schooler.

Both universities competed against 300 applicants for one of 50 available spots in NASA's Reduced Gravity Student Flight Opportunities program, and both succeeded.

In July, the team will travel to the Johnson Space Center in Texas to test its reactor on the DC-9, NASA's zero-gravity plane.

The reactor combines nuclear electric propulsion and nuclear thermal propulsion activity, whereas conventional reactors use one system or the other. The dual-system simplifies rocket operations, Whittaker-Fiamengo noted, adding that the students' design is much smaller, and therefore more economical, than standard reactors.

The aeronautics enthusiasts have their reactor designed and will begin building it as soon as all the parts arrive.

With their summer trip to Houston inching closer, Whittaker-Fiamengo is feeling the time crunch — and the budget crunch.

The Microgravity Flight Team received $30,000 from OSU and other sources, but they'll need about $15,000 more to complete the project.

"A lot of the components were three times more expensive than we budgeted for," Whittaker-Fiamengo explained. The team is applying for additional grants to cover the shortfall.

With the help of a nuclear reactor such as the one designed by the Microgravity Flight Team, the plasma rocket stands to revolutionize space travel.

"Right now, in order to get to Mars, (NASA) is using fuel rockets," explained team coordinator Dan Wittmer, an OSU senior majoring in electrical engineering. "It has a major, initial thrust at take-off, then you shoot out and coast to Mars. With the plasma rocket, you can provide a continuous thrust, not just a one-time burst."

This ability to constantly build speed would reduce travel time from eight months to about 80 days, he added.

Another important feature of the plasma rocket is its ability to turn around mid-flight, noted Whittaker-Fiamengo. So if something goes wrong en route, the astronauts could return to Earth.

OSU and WOU share the same reactor, but will study different aspects of its performance under zero-gravity conditions. OSU will conduct the first test, which examines the start-up conditions the reactor requires.

WOU will handle the second phase, which looks at the reactor's ability to complete an emergency abort.

OSU started the Microgravity Flight Team program six years ago. This year's team began conceiving its reactor in September. They meet once a week as a group for several hours, and team members spend at least 10 hours a week working on independent components.

In addition to designing and building a reactor, the team also devotes time to outreach efforts. The students visit K-12 classes around the state to discuss space research.

The Microgravity Flight Team gives students a chance work as a team on a multi-disciplinary project. They have to take control over what they achieve and the quality of their end result, said team advisor Jim Liburdy, Welty professor of mechanical engineering at OSU.

"They have to deal directly with NASA in meeting rigorous engineering standards," Liburdy said. "Their project is basically their own conception, and they have to take it from a mere idea to a final product that has to fly successfully on the microgravity flights."

The efforts of these students will help future OSU teams gain access to microgravity research opportunities, he added.

Whittaker-Fiamengo is "incredibly excited" to test the team's reactor on the DC-9.

"Nuclear space propulsion is so integral to our future exploration of other planets," she said.

Reporter Mary Ann Albright covers higher education. She can be reached at maryann.albright@

lee.net or 758-9518.