SPACE NUCLEAR-POWER-PLANTS .1.

Space nuclear power plants can be configured in a number of different ways depending on the choice of primary loop transport, conversion tec hniques and heat addition and rejection systems. The large number of t he possible configurations mandates a modular approach. A global appro ach to analyzing the various configurations has been developed. A gene ralized software. SNAPS (Space Nuclear Auxiliary Power analysis System ), has emerged from the studies thus far. The first part of this proje ct which we are presenting in this paper is this computer program SNAP S designed to simulate space nuclear power plants with different energ y conversion techniques, to find optimal characteristics constrained i n feasibility limitations, and to design the plant for maximum reliabi lity and flexibility. This program is based on the flowsheeting approa ch in chemical engineering.