October 30, 2021

Wesley Deason

Wesley Deason has been involved with high-temperature nuclear reactor development for space power and propulsion since 2010. In 2010 he supported theconceptual design of a 10 kWe space reactor for power and propulsion. In 2011, he supported the conceptual design of a high- power bi-modal (10 MWe and 75 klbf) NTP system. His support of research efforts at the Center for Space Nuclear Research between 2013 and 2015 led to the adoption of tungsten cermet LEU-NTP as the primary concept pursued by NASA. During the initial effort in 2013, Mr. Deason assisted in developing the precursor to USNC’s current NTP design code, SPACE. Between 2013 and 2015, Mr. Deason assisted NASA Marshall Spaceflight Center in the Space Capable Cryogenic Thermal Engine design exercise through neutronic and thermal- hydraulic optimization of the reactor core. He has written and presented 11 publications on space nuclear power or propulsion, including one journal publication. Prior to joining USNC, Mr. Deason worked as a researcher at the Center for Space Nuclear Research and then at the IAEA as an energy data analyst.