Bimodal Ammonia Nuclear Thermal and Electric Rocket
Duration: 48 months
Start Date: 01 Feb 2025
Estimated Project Cost: €2,997,300.00
BANTER is the first step towards realizing an innovative bimodal nuclear thermal and electric propulsion system that uses the same fluid (i.e. ammonia) as a propellant for thermo-nuclear propulsion and electric thrusters and as a working fluid for the power generation system.
Due to its ease of storage in non-cryogenic conditions, its presence as an in-situ resource on many targets of future space missions, and its possibility of decomposing to increase its propulsive performance, ammonia allows the development of a compact propulsion system capable of transporting tons of payloads for a wide spectrum of missions.
The design of a nuclear reactor implementing a new type of coolant channels and a radiator-less power generation system fed by ammonia will constitute the first phase of this process. The combination of thermolysis, catalysis, and radiolysis to decompose the ammonia will be studied by two experimental campaigns carried out on prototypes of the coolant channels both in a nuclear and non-nuclear environment to demonstrate propulsive performance capable of outclassing traditional chemical propulsion systems. A parallel study will design, develop, and test newly ammonia-based electric thrusters to operate for long periods without excessive cathode erosion, eventually with increased efficiency due to the catalytic decomposition of the propellant.
Positive outcomes of the project will pave the way for developing a technology that could make Europe a protagonist of the future space race thanks to a compact, versatile, and high-performance propulsion system. In addition, any improvement in the production of green hydrogen from ammonia decomposition will also benefit the energy industry. This aspect makes this project highly multidisciplinary not only in the research approach but also in the results.