Nerva 0

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Model: Nerva Alpha. Gross Mass: 17,783 kg (39,204 lb). Empty Mass: 4,969 kg (10,954 lb). Thrust (vac): 71.700 kN (16,119 lbf). Isp: 860 sec. Burn time: 1,500 sec. Propellants: Nuclear/LH2. Propellant Formulation: Nuclear/Slush Hydrogen. Diameter: 4.50 m (14.70 ft). Span: 4.50 m (14.70 ft). Length: 18.29 m (60.00 ft). Country: USA. No Engines: 1. Motor: Nerva Alpha. Status: Development 1972.

Nuclear stage designed to fit into the space shuttle payload bay. Additional propellant modules could be added in orbit. Such propellant modules would have a mass of 23,181 kg, including 21,265 kg of usable propellant. Given goahead in 1972, it would have been flight tested by 1982.

Model: Nerva Gamma. Gross Mass: 18,643 kg (41,100 lb). Empty Mass: 5,829 kg (12,850 lb). Thrust (vac): 81.000 kN (18,209 lbf). Isp: 975 sec. Burn time: 1,500 sec. Propellants: Nuclear/LH2. Propellant Formulation: Nuclear/Slush Hydrogen. Diameter: 4.50 m (14.70 ft). Span: 4.50 m (14.70 ft). Length: 18.29 m (60.00 ft). Country: USA. No Engines: 1. Motor: Nerva Gamma. Status: Development 1972.

Improved version of the Alpha nuclear stage designed to fit into the space shuttle payload bay. Additional propellant modules could be added in orbit. Such propellant modules would have a mass of 23,181 kg, including 21,265 kg of usable propellant. Given an Alpha engine development program, it would have been flight tested by 1984. In addition to propulsion, it would provide 10 to 25 MWe power for missions of two to five years duration.

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