Global Space Exploration Conference Washington, DC. Copyright ©2012 by the International Astronautical Federation. All rights reserved. * Co-author 1 Individual Collaborator, United States, drguven@live.com # Co-author 2 University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, India, aakankshadhar@gmail.com $ Co-author 3 University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, India, yachna.2289@gmail.com GLEX-2012, 01,P,1,p1, x12442 Page 1 of 7 GLEX-2012,01,P,1,p1, x12442 NUCLEAR POWER AS A POWERFUL SOLUTION IN SUPPORTING SYSTEMS AND MISSIONS COMPONENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION Gurunadh Velidi University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, India, guru.velidi@live.in * Ugur Guven, # Aakanksha Dhar, $ Yachna Gola Interest of mankind to explore deep space has clubbed various nations together to form International Space Station. It will be a platform in the space to support long range missions and to support astronauts to consider the ISS as a second home in space. In future, it is required to design deep space mission from the ISS directly with communication from earth. It will be fully functional in conducting various experiments with advanced systems under uninterrupted power supply. This paper will describe how to create on board Power generation systems to ISS using MHD systems with vapour core reactor systems. In this design, a description of the fission reaction under micro gravity conditions have been given as well as the control over the radiation and nuclear waste management in the space have been explored. This approach will concentrate more on thermodynamic feasibilities in creating a virtual power plant with the support systems possible in the space. In the ISS, presently we have support for the crew members below ten, which itself is taking good amount of power for creating oxygen from electrolysis as well as for removing carbon dioxide, and other gases like ammonia and acetone. With the increase in handling capacity and launch of various experimental setups, even this requirement will double from the current existing capacity. This made us to concentrate on creation of such a system, which could actually support the future needs of the International Space Station with continuous power . The Major aspects of the power plant operation is to contaminate radiation coming from the reactor systems and also waste management will make design more meaningful. Even though modifications to the International Space Station may not be possible due to design limitations, this paper is written with the hopes that it will create a compass for further work in the area by addressing the energy production on a mass scale for a larger size space station. It is also hoped that this will create a stepping stone to the stars. I. INTRODUCTION Mankind has been looking towards the stars in curiosity of comprehending and going to space since the dawn of the civilization. Ever since, it has been the vision of the mankind to reach those stars. The realization of this vision began with the launch of Sputnik in 1957 and since then the race to space has been underway by the various nations of the Earth. This space race was symbolized by countless spacecrafts, satellites and probes being launched into space by countless nations of the Earth. Several significant landmarks have been accomplished with success including the landing of man on moon, analysis of Martian soil by the Pathfinder and the swooping journey of the Voyager probe deep into the far reaches of the solar system. Parallel advancements in technology, gave birth to the mankind’s dream to colonize our solar system as well as the outer reaches of space which has become more dominant than ever in the present era. To pull it off with success, a lot of research was done. The race for establishing a permanent presence in space led to the development of “The Space Lab” program of the United States as well as the “Salyut” and “Mir” space stations of the Russians [3]. International space station has been a highlight in the space history as it signifies the influential mark of mankind in space with its several space exploration and observation programs. ISS was a result of the project of permanent space station “Freedom” of the President of United States Ronald Reagan in 1984. Owing to a lot of cancelations and budget estimations, the project was delayed. Finally, after the division of Soviet Union, in 1993, Russia and United States came together and renamed the project as International space Station.