Over the upcoming decades, space exploration is going to see astronauts going back to the Moon, the very first crewed missions to Mars in addition to robotic missions to the outer Solar System, among others. These missions will make use of modern technologies which permit quicker transits, sustainable living and long-term stays far from the planet earth. To this end, NASA along with other space agencies are examining nuclear uses, especially where electricity as well as propulsion are engaged. A number of these ideas were extensively validated as well as were on the books since the first space age.
On Tuesday, Jan 24th, NASA along with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) announced they had been introducing an interagency agreement to produce a nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) idea. The nuclear Rocket suggested is referred to as the Demonstration rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO), which could permit quick transit missions to Mars (weeks rather than months). This three phase plan concludes with a demonstration of DRACO in orbit, which is anticipated in early 2027.
NASA along with other Space organizations have looked at several proposals for nuclear spacecraft since the first Space age. These may be split into 2 groups: nuclear energy as well as nuclear-electric propulsion (NTP/NEP). For the NTP, a nuclear reactor warms deuterium or tritium propellent (Hydrogen 2 or -3) to produce plasma that is then directed through nozzles to create thrust. A reactor inside a NEP rocket drives a Hall-Effect thruster which ionizes an inert gas (like xenon) and speeds it up to create thrust. NTP provides higher thrust wherein NEP provides greater specific impulse (Isp) or longer periods of thrust.

Lately, a number of proposals for NTP systems have been made that would bring down transit times to Mars to under 100 days, some as little as forty five days. Getting quicker, more effective transportation technology is critical for crewed missions to Mars, and is in line with the Objectives of NASA for the Moon to Mars mission. If we use standard rockets, it would take six to nine months to get to Mars, and missions are only able to launch every twenty six weeks (coincident with a Mars Opposition). Astronauts are going to be subjected to increased levels of cosmic radiation as well as solar radiation during these transits.
They will be trapped in microgravity all through the entire time, which will impact physiology in numerous ways. Longer trips also require more storage and supplies space, which is restricted by the Orion spacecraft, which functions as a command space, dormitory and dining hall for its crew. A much more effective propulsion system makes it possible for larger spacecraft which can supply larger scientific payloads and more power for instrumentation and communication. As Administrator Bill Nelson declared in a recently available NASA press release:
“NASA is going to work with our long-term partner DARPA to develop and demonstrate advanced nuclear thermal propulsion technology as soon as 2027,” it stated. New technology will enable astronauts to travel faster to and from deep space than ever before, a big benefit in planning for crewed missions to Mars. “Congratulations to both NASA as well as DARPA on this exciting investment as we ignite the future together,” she stated.
According to the terms of the deal, NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) will lead the technical advancement of the nuclear thermal motor that will be incorporated into the DARPA-built spacecraft. The DARPA will serve as the contracting authority for the whole program, supervising rocket system integration and procurement, approvals, scheduling and other considerations. As soon as 2027, DARPA and NASA will work in concert on the assembly of the car before the in-space demonstration. Dr Stefanie Tompkins, director of the DARPA, said:
“NASA and DARPA have a long history of productive cooperation in developing technologies for our respective objectives, from the Saturn V rocket which first brought people to the Moon, to the robotic taking care of and refueling of satellites,” it said. The space field is essential for modern commerce, scientific research and national security. “the ability to achieve leap-forward advancements in space engineering with the DRACO nuclear thermal rocket program will be important for more efficiently and quickly transporting material on the Moon and eventually individuals to Mars,” it stated.

For the NASA, earlier attempts and efforts to develop Nuclear technologies for space exploration consist of the nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Applications (NERVA), which successfully tried in 1964 as well as 1969. The radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) are tried since 1961 in space and were a part of the surface area tests of the Apollo missions. Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (MMRTG) have since powered robotic probes like the brand new Horizons, Voyager, Galileo, Cassini and Viking missions, moreover the Perseverance and Curiosity rovers.
NASA, the Department of Energy (DOE), along with commercial-industrial partners are additionally trying to realize nuclear technologies for several mission profiles. This consists of the Fission Surface power project of NASA, which broadens its Kilopower Reactor Using Sterling Technology (KRUSTY) project to construct nuclear reactors which can Power long term missions on the Moon, Mars and beyond. In June, NASA and DOE provided 3 commercial design endeavors to create nuclear power plant concepts which may be utilized on the Moon along with eventually Mars.
This season, the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program awarded Phase I contracts to several nuclear solutions. These include a hybrid fusion or fast-fission reactor which could power up a mission to Europa, a thermal engine that could allow missions to Mars in only forty five days, along with a miniature nuclear battery which could allow CubeSat missions to the outer Solar System. Jim Reuter, associate director at STMD, concurred.
“With this partnership, we are going to use our knowledge obtained from numerous previous space nuclear energy as well as propulsion projects,” he said. “Recent aerospace materials as well as engineering advancements are enabling a new era for space nuclear engineering, and this flight demonstration is a significant achievement toward establishing a space transportation capability for an Earth-Moon economy,” the report stated.
Read more: NASA