Reduced-Enrichment, Fast-Spectrum Lunar/Mars Surface Reactors

This report investigates the potential for reduced-enrichment, un-moderated surface reactors. The potential programmatic advantages of a reduced safeguards classification are discussed, along with design options that could allow a Cat III inventory surface reactor. Two potential reactor Cat III designs are presented, each with a thermal power of 100 kWt and a 5 year life: one is fueled with SS/UO{sub 2} fuel pins and the other with SS/UN fuel pins. The mass and performance parameters of these designs are compared to each other, and to a Cat III UZrH-fueled, moderated-spectrum design. (authors)