why aren't there nuclear powered aircraft?

Question

I know this might sound like more of an engineering question that about physics, and it probably is, but bear with me: i'm still not sure if the answer to my question lies in the physics or in the engineering, or even in the politics.

Most if not all of modern submarines are powered by a nuclear reactor. At sea, only the most heavyweight (like air-carriers) use a nuclear reactor. But i've never heard of nuclear-powered aircraft

Is there a weight-to-power density relation making it difficult or impossible to have nuclear aircraft? or is something related to perceived safety/politics?

Answer 1

This is a cost to benefit question and can only be answered by a guess in a physics board. There is a new generation of small compact reactors that could be used for powering apartment buildings

The new reactor, which is only 20 feet by 6 feet,

Seems compact enough, so it is not size but weight that is important, since this weight has to be lifted. Due to radiation concerns a lot of lead will be involved and I suspect that the advantage in energy costs of

5 cents per kilowatt hour, about half the cost of grid energy.

will be lost.

In addition there are the concerns about accidents and possible radiation released. Look at the aviation accident which released depleted uranium used as counterweights in some airplanes, I suppose in order to reduce volume. Think of the problems if it there were a reactor aboard. Submarines etc do not have the same risk factors.

Answer 2

Nuclear power is the only way to make submarines work underneath the water for long distances without coming up because of the oxygen that all other types require.

And batteries for electric engines are too heavy.

Historically a submarine had to go up to just below sea level to get air through a snorcel for the engines that charge the batteries.

Then it could go down and drive only as far as the batteries could get and then repeat the process. But because the batteries are huge and heavy, this is only a shourt distance.

Under water the diesel engines do not work, they need the oxygen out of the air.

This was a huge disadvantage at war times.

Nuclear power does not need the fresh air (the oxygen part of it) like all other types of generators who work with combustion engines and they need oxygen. So someone built a nuclear submarine and this was so superior to the old ones that they choosed to do it. They can travel and hide for months without coming up.

Some military ships are also nuclear powered:

http://www.radiationworks.com/nuclearships.htm

It allows them to travel longer distances without refueling.

For civilian ships it is probably too expensive.

For air planes it seems easier and safer and cheaper, compared to nuclear power, to just power them with cerosine. A reactor is heavy and has a certain size. Large ships can carry them.

Submarines and ships have unlimited waater cooling available.

Answer 3

Needless to say, there is no idea too crazy not to have tried in the 1950's, see for example http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Pluto and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aircraft_Nuclear_Propulsion .