What is a Nuclear Lightbulb?
A “nuclear lightbulb” is the nickname for a specific type of nuclear-powered rocket engine or energy source. In a nuclear lightbulb, the coolant/propellant is separated from the nuclear fuel by a quartz wall. Although the reactor reaches temperatures of approximately 25,000°C (45,030°), most of the radiation is in the hard ultraviolet range, which quartz is practically transparent to. Therefore the quartz wall does not melt or boil away, by the propellant, probably hydrogen, does. Alternatively, a nuclear lightbulb could be used to generate electricity through photovoltaics (solar cells). Because nuclear energy permits many more joules per gram of fuel than chemical energy sources, a nuclear lightbulb would be a superior form of rocket propulsion to the type used today. But due to the uneasiness about sending nuclear materials into space, this technology has never been used in space. Several experimental designs have been built and run successfully. A great advantage of a nuclear light
A “nuclear lightbulb” is the nickname for a specific type of nuclear-powered rocket engine or energy source. In a nuclear lightbulb, the coolant/propellant is separated from the nuclear fuel by a quartz wall. Although the reactor reaches temperatures of approximately 25,000°C (45,030°), most of the radiation is in the hard ultraviolet range, which quartz is practically transparent to. Therefore the quartz wall does not melt or boil away, by the propellant, probably hydrogen, does. Alternatively, a nuclear lightbulb could be used to generate electricity through photovoltaics (solar cells). Because nuclear energy permits many more joules per gram of fuel than chemical energy sources, a nuclear lightbulb would be a superior form of rocket propulsion to the type used today. But due to the uneasiness about sending nuclear materials into space, this technology has never been used in space. Several experimental designs have been built and run successfully. A great advantage of a nuclear ligh
