Fusion Science and Technology / Volume 20 / Number 4P2 / December 1991 / Pages 719-722
Space Nuclear Power/Propulsion / dx.doi.org/10.13182/FST91-A11946925
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Fission fragment rockets are nuclear reactors with a core consisting of thin fibers in a vacuum, and which use magnetic fields to extract the fission fragments from the reactor core. As an alternative to ordinary nuclear reactors, fission fragment rockets would have the advantages: Approximately twice as efficient if one can directly convert the fission fragment energy into electricity; By reducing the buildup of a fission fragment inventory in the reactor one could avoid a Chernobyl type disaster; Collecting the fission fragments outside the reactor could simplify the waste disposal problem.