Launch approval considerations for space nuclear power systems

Nuclear Safety Launch Approval is the US process by which approval is granted from the Executive Branch for the use of nuclear materials in space. It involves analyses utilizing a combination of theoretical calculation and empirical test data, by which the launch of a space nuclear system is demonstrated to have acceptable consequences in terms of radiological risk. Many factors influence the launch approval process and it's complexity. Historical launch approval examples are discussed as well as considerations for mission design, power source design, launch vehicle selection and spacecraft design which may simplify the analyses for launch approval. Factors which influence the complexity of the analyses as well as factors which can bound the analyses are discussed.