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Nasa to Test Nuclear Rockets that Could Fly Astronauts to Mars in Record Time

posted by hubie on Friday January 27 2023, @08:19AM   Printer-friendly

fliptop writes:

The project, in concert with US government agency DARPA, aims to develop pioneering propulsion system for space travel as soon as 2027:

The project is intended to develop a pioneering propulsion system for space travel far different from the chemical systems prevalent since the modern era of rocketry dawned almost a century ago.

"Using a nuclear thermal rocket allows for faster transit time, reducing risk for astronauts," Nasa said in a press release.

[...] Using current technology, Nasa says, the 300m-mile journey to Mars would take about seven months. Engineers do not yet know how much time could be shaved off using nuclear technology, but Bill Nelson, the Nasa administrator, said it would allow spacecraft, and humans, to travel in deep space at record speed.

[...] Using low thrust efficiently, nuclear electric propulsion systems accelerate spacecraft for extended periods and can propel a Mars mission for a fraction of the propellant of high-thrust systems.

Also at CNN and Engadget. Link to Nasa press release.

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  • (Score: 3, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Friday January 27 2023, @01:40PM (1 child)

    by Anonymous Coward on Friday January 27 2023, @01:40PM (#1288903)

    If we use these thrusters, we'll fly astronauts to Mars faster than we've ever flown astronauts there!

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  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday January 27 2023, @09:12PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Friday January 27 2023, @09:12PM (#1288985)

    They'll be able to fake Moon landings so much faster.