Space Nuclear Power Systems Startup Optimization Methods

The startup of a space nuclear power system is conducted after the space vehicle is put into its operational orbit. The reactor is in a deeply subcritical state, it is technically unfeasible to use a startup source of neutrons, and ground-based operator intervention is excluded. Since payload usage before the nuclear reactor starts is supported by storage batteries, the problem of reducing the startup time and increasing the safety of ground-based adjustments is real for any type of space nuclear power system. In the present article, the methods of optimization of the initial stages of the start-up regime that make it possible to accelerate startup and meet the constraints on the period in ground-based conditions are described. The details of the implementing algorithms are given. Data on the experimental verification of the obtained results are presented.