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 stated Tuesday that the US space company will crew up with the Protection Superior Analysis Tasks Company (DARPA) to “develop and show 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 stated in an announcement.

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 stated nuclear thermal rockets could be three or extra instances 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 fuel, which expands by a nozzle and gives thrust.

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

“The nuclear thermal rocket program can be important for extra effectively and rapidly transporting materials to the Moon and, ultimately, individuals to Mars,” Tompkins stated.

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

© 2023 AFP