Program Element: 0603217C Project Number: 1503

PE Title: Ballistic Missile Defense (U) Budget Activity: 03

Adv Technology Dev (U)

February 1994

A. (U) RESOURCES: ($ in Thousands)

Project Title: Power and Power Conditioning

FY1993 FY1994 FY1995 FY1996 FY1997 FY1998 FY1999 Total

Program Name: Actual Estimate Estimate Estimate Estimate Estimate Estimate Program

0603217C RDT&E 41,229 7,060 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 Continuing

B. (U) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF MISSION REQUIREMENT AND SYSTEM CAPABILITIES:

(U) Currently, the program focuses on space nuclear power, specifically the TOPAZ International Program (TIP). The TIP consists of three major components: an extensive series of non-nuclear ground tests to understand the capabilities and limitations of the TOPAZ II thermionic system, basic research with an international team of thermionic and materials experts, and critical component design for increased power generation (the 40kW program) using knowledge gained from the TOPAZ II design.

(U) This project is assigned to the Budget Activity and Program Element codes as identified in this descriptive summary in accordance with existing Department of Defense policy. Further justification of the Budget Activity code assigned to each Program Element is contained within the Brief Description of Element section of each Program Element Summary.

C. (U) PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND PLANS:

(U) FY 1993 Accomplishments:

o ($4,000)Completed six full power ground tests on two unfueled TOPAZ reactor systems using electric heaters.

o ($2,000) Initiated TOPAZ component testing, and materials research on Thermionic Fuel Elements (TFEs).

o ($1,500) Completed conceptual design of reactor safety modification to meet US safety standards.

o ($7,789) Completed safety assessments for potential applications of TOPAZ II thermionic system.

o ($15,320) Completed Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for the Nuclear Electric Propulsion Spaceflight Test Program (NEPSTP) (Note: activity on this task cancelled 10/93 due to budget reductions).

o ($2,120) Developed higher efficiency solar cells and twenty different solar cell experiments for the Space Test Research Vehicle (STRV).

o ($6,000) Completed purchase of initial two TOPAZ II thermionic power systems via contract between BMDO and ISP/Inertek

o ($2,500) Developed two independant conceptual designs (multi-cell thermionics vs. single-cell thermionics) for the 40kW upgrade.

(U) FY 1994 Plans:

o ($2,500) Complete second 1000 hour full power ground test of unfueled TOPAZ II thermionic system using electric heaters.

o ($1,000) Initiate TOPAZ II power system shock and vibration tests.

o ($1,500) Downsize 40kW upgrade program to concentrate on critical component testing.

o ($1,500) Complete development of prototype digital Reactor Control Unit (RCU) and Tacitron thermionic power conditioning switch.

o ($560) Continue TOPAZ component testing and materials research on Thermionic Fuel Elements (TFEs).

(U) FY 1995 Plans:

o ($10,000) Consolidate ongoing international joint technology development programs within BMDO,including the TOPAZ International Project (TIP) into one clearly identifiable category. Specific efforts to be carried forward are to be chosen based on Congressional, OSD, and BMDO guidelines and 1994 test results.

(U) Program Plan to Completion: This is a continuing program.

D. (U) WORK PERFORMED BY:

o Air Force Phillips Laboratory, Kirtland AFB, NM

o Department Of Energy (DOE), Germantown, MD

o Sandia National Laboratory, Albuquerque, NM

o Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM

o Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD

o Rocketdyne Division of Rockwell, Inc., Canoga Park, CA

o Space Power Inc. (SPI), San Jose, CA

o Babcock & Wilcox, Lynchburg, VA

o General Atomics, San Diago, CA

E. (U) COMPARISON WITH FY 1994 DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY:

1. TECHNICAL CHANGES: None

2. SCHEDULE CHANGES: None

3. COST CHANGES: The $70 million (87%) budget reduction in FY94 and reductions in future years have necessitated a revamping of the program. All conventional power development (solar cells and batteries) has been eliminated. The Nuclear Electric Power (NEP) space flight test has been cancelled, along with all work on development of the satellite, and integration of propulsion systems for the flight test. The remaining program, the TIP, only includes non-nuclear ground tests and basic research.

F. (U) PROGRAM DOCUMENTATION: All projects require final reports upon conclusion of project.

G. (U) RELATED ACTIVITIES: Related activities include many projects within all Program Elements. There is no unnecessary duplication of effort within BMDO or the DoD, although related thermionic research is being conducted with USAF funds under PE 63401 and PE 62302.

H. (U) OTHER APPROPRIATION FUNDS: None

I. (U) INTERNATIONAL COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS: None

J. (U) MILESTONE SCHEDULE:

o TIP:

Initiate TOPAZ thermionic system shock and vibration testing 2Q/1994

Initiate Reactor Control Unit (RCU) testing with TOPAZ ground test 4Q/1994

Downsize and refocus 40kW upgrade research to meet budget constraints 2Q/1994

Complete prototype development of second generation tacitron 4Q/1994