How is the risk of a nuclear excursion or atmospheric release typically mitigated for an NTP system during the launch phase from Earth?
Answer
The system is designed to remain subcritical (non-operational) during launch and ascent, only becoming critical once safely in deep space.
The safety philosophy for launching fission reactors dictates that the reactor remains in a safe, non-operational state (subcritical) during the most hazardous part of the flight—launch and ascent—only activating once the spacecraft is far away from Earth.
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