NASA, Pentagon developing nuclear-powered rocket for Mars voyage

NASA is partnering with a Pentagon analysis company to develop a nuclear-powered rocket engine in preparation for sending astronauts to Mars.

NASA Administrator Invoice Nelson mentioned Tuesday that the US space company will workforce up with the Protection Superior Analysis Tasks Company (DARPA) to “develop and display superior nuclear thermal propulsion know-how as quickly as 2027.”

“With the assistance of this new know-how, astronauts might journey to and from deep space quicker than ever –- a serious functionality to organize for crewed missions to Mars,” Nelson mentioned in a press release.

DARPA is the Pentagon’s analysis and growth arm and has performed a task in most of the notable improvements of the twentieth century together with the web.

NASA mentioned nuclear thermal rockets will be three or extra occasions extra environment friendly than typical chemical propulsion and would cut back transit time, important for an eventual mission to Mars.

In a nuclear thermal engine, a fission reactor is used to generate extraordinarily excessive temperatures.

Warmth from the reactor is transferred to liquid propellant which is then transformed into gasoline, which expands by means of a nozzle and gives thrust.

“DARPA and NASA have an extended historical past of fruitful collaboration,” DARPA director Stefanie Tompkins mentioned, citing the Saturn V rocket that took the primary astronauts to the Moon.

“The nuclear thermal rocket program will likely be important for extra effectively and shortly transporting materials to the Moon and, finally, folks to Mars,” Tompkins mentioned.

NASA performed its final nuclear thermal rocket engine checks greater than 50 years in the past however this system was deserted because of funds cuts and Chilly Conflict tensions.

© 2023 AFP