propulsion nucléoélectrique

PHR: Sonde martienne à propulsion nucléoélectrique.

CONT: In a nuclear electric propulsion system, heat from a nuclear reactor is converted to electrical energy either by direct thermoelectric or thermionic conversion. NEP provides higher power, thrust, and specific impulse than a SEP [solar electric propulsion] system, although the thrust still pales to insignificance compared to our chemical rockets. For a comparison specific impulse of chemical rockets is about 400secs, Deep Space 1 uses SEP and produces around 3300secs, NEP on the other hand could produce specific impulse as high as 13,000secs.