Autonomous and semi-autonomous control is a key element of space reactor design in order to meet the mission requirements of safety, reliability, survivability, and life expectancy. In terrestrial nuclear power plants, human operators are available to perform intelligent control functions that are necessary for both normal and abnormal operational conditions. However, for a space mission with uncertain environment, rare events, and communication delays, all the control functions must be achieved through a sophisticated control system with very limited human intervention from the earth. It should be noted that autonomous control strategies are also of importance in reactor systems that are land-based, with remote deployment capabilities. The objective of this research project under the U.S. Department of Energy NEER grant is to develop an integrated autonomous control system for space fission reactors, incorporating control mode selection, self-tuning, automated learning, on-line fault monitoring and failure anticipation, fault-tolerant, and supervisory control. The development and implementation of these technologies are illustrated with application to a liquid-metal cooled reactor with static power conversion. The results of this research are generic so that the technology can be easily adapted to different space power systems and to next generation reactors.
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