SPACECRAFT ELECTRIC GENERATING AND PROPULSION SYSTEM INTEGRATION STUDY. PART I. SYSTEM INTEGRATION STUDIES,

The results of a spacecraft electric generating and propulsion system integration study are presented. This program consisted of the adaptation of the General Electric LEADER Logical Evaluation And Direction of Engineering and Research technique to the analysis of nuclear-electric power and propulsion systems integration. Analytical models of each of the major components of a 350-kw Spur-Arc Jet system and a 1-mw Spur-Ion Engine system were developed and processed by the LEADER optimization technique in order to demonstrate its capabilities for obtaining the design criteria for minimizing over-all system weight. The Spur models obtained consisted of approximately 40 independent design variables, 300 total variables, and 100 design and physical constraints. The specific output of the program included the optimum design variables, the constraints preventing further design improvement, and the sensitivity of the final design to subsequent changes in the independent design variables. Author