Potential use of the Large Coil Test Facility (LCTF) for testing of ion thrusters for nuclear electric propulsion

Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP) is one of several supporting technologies identified as necessary for exploration of the planets. At a workshop held in June 1990, experts from national laboratories and industry identified approximately a dozen reactor concepts to produce electric power to drive ion thrusters which convert the electricity into propulsion. Subsequent to the workshop, a DOE‐sponsored facilities panel toured U.S. facilities where the technologies might be developed and tested. The Large Coil Test Facility (LCTF) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is an attractive option for testing of ion thrusters. This paper reviews the thruster concepts proposed, discusses key features of the LCTF, and outlines how thruster testing could be performed in this facility.