Summary

Description

<p>Key NCPS project objectives are to conduct preliminary design, fabrication, and test of representative fuel samples and partial length fuel elements for the two primary NTP fuel forms identified by NASA and DOE – NERVA carbide “graphite composite” and ceramic-metallic (Cermet) fuels; further define NTP system concept designs that can meet the mission requirements of Mars DRA 5.0 and serve as a basis for the above two primary fuel elements/types for both a smaller demonstration sized engine and the larger Mars Crewed Vehicle sized engine (25 klbf); and using the results of the above fuel development and testing as well as other heritage NTP data, develop fuel downselection criteria and recommendations to support a fuel type downselection in early FY 2015.</p>