US 12,234,042 B2
Nuclear thermal propulsion system with reactor direct drive of cryocooler turbine
Zachary Reid Tolley, Kent, WA (US)
Assigned to Blue Origin, LLC, Kent, WA (US)
Filed by Blue Origin, LLC, Kent, WA (US)
Filed on Apr. 10, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/632,124.
Application 18/632,124 is a continuation of application No. 17/808,256, filed on Jun. 22, 2022, granted, now 11,975,870.
Prior Publication US 2024/0278938 A1, Aug. 22, 2024
Int. Cl. B64G 1/40 (2006.01); F02K 9/42 (2006.01); F02K 9/44 (2006.01); F02K 9/50 (2006.01); F02K 9/64 (2006.01); G21D 5/02 (2006.01); F02K 9/46 (2006.01)
CPC B64G 1/408 (2013.01) [F02K 9/42 (2013.01); F02K 9/425 (2013.01); F02K 9/44 (2013.01); F02K 9/50 (2013.01); F02K 9/64 (2013.01); G21D 5/02 (2013.01); F02K 9/46 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of operating a nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) system having a cryogenic fluid management (CFM) system, the method comprising:
heating a first thermal working fluid via thermal communication of the first thermal working fluid with a nuclear reactor of the NTP system;
directly driving a cryocooler turbine of the CFM system using the heated first thermal working fluid;
maintaining a cryogenic temperature of propellant using the cryocooler turbine; and
expelling the propellant to provide thrust to the NTP system.