NASA picks Lockheed Martin to build the nuclear rocket that’ll take us to Mars<p>NASA and DARPA have <a data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1" href="
https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-darpa-experts-to-discuss-nuclear-rocket-program-developments">chosen[/url] aerospace and defense company <a data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1" href="
https://www.engadget.com/tag/lockheedmartin/">Lockheed Martin[/url] to develop a spacecraft with a nuclear thermal rocket engine. Announced in January, the initiative — in which BWX Technologies will provide the reactor and fuel — is dubbed the <a data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1" href="
https://www.engadget.com/nasa-darpa-nuclear-thermal-engine-crewed-missions-mars-200827580.html">Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO)[/url]. The agencies aim to showcase the tech no later than 2027 with an eye toward future Mars missions.</p><p>Nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) has several advantages over chemically propelled rockets. First, it’s two to five times more efficient, allowing ships to travel faster and farther with greater agility. In addition, its reduced propellant needs leave more room on the spaceship for storing scientific equipment and other essentials. It also provides more options for abort scenarios, as the nuclear engines make it easier to alter the ship’s trajectory for a quicker-than-expected return trip. These factors combine to make NTP (perhaps) the ideal Mars travel method.</p><span id="end-legacy-contents"></span><p>“These more powerful and efficient nuclear thermal propulsion systems can provide faster transit times between destinations,” said Kirk Shireman, VP of Lunar Exploration Campaigns for Lockheed Martin. “Reducing transit time is vital for human missions to Mars to limit a crew’s exposure to radiation.”</p><figure><img src="
https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2023-07/c76fd110-2bd0-11ee-95ec-6b0e11ef1e6c" style="height:1200px;width:2000px;" alt="Artist concept of a nuclear powered rocket. The craft, which looks somewhat like an upside down flashlight, is primarily white with US, DARPA and NASA logos emblazoned on its side. Blue propellant emerges from its tail as a slice of the Earth is visible below." data-uuid="977e10f4-0dc9-331c-a157-66efd9cc09ea"><figcaption></figcaption><div class="photo-credit">NASA / DARPA</div></figure><p>The NTP system will use a nuclear reactor to heat hydrogen propellant rapidly to extremely high temperatures. That gas is funneled through the engine’s nozzle, creating the ship’s thrust. “This nuclear thermal propulsion system is designed to be extremely safe and reliable, using High Assay Low Enriched Uranium (HALEU) fuel to rapidly heat a super-cold gas, such as liquid hydrogen,” BWX <a data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1" href="
https://www.bwxt.com/news/2023/07/26/BWXT-to-Provide-Nuclear-Reactor-Engine-and-Fuel-for-DARPA-Space-Project">said[/url] today. “As the gas is heated, it expands quickly and creates thrust to move the spacecraft more efficiently than typical chemical combustion engines.”</p><p>To help quell concerns about radioactive leaks in the Earth’s atmosphere, NASA and DARPA plan not to power up the reactor until the ship has reached a “nuclear safe orbit,” where any tragedies would occur outside the zone where it would affect Earth. The agencies aim for a nuclear spacecraft demonstration by 2027, launched from a conventional rocket until it reaches “an appropriate location above low earth orbit.”</p><p>Nuclear reactors will also likely play a key role in powering future Martian habitats, with <a data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1" href="
https://www.engadget.com/2018-05-02-nasa-completes-full-power-tests-small-nuclear-reactor.html">NASA testing small and portable versions[/url] of the tech as far back as 2018.</p><p>Before NTP propels the first humans to Mars, it could find use on much shorter flights, as nuclear-powered spacecraft could also make <a data-i13n="cpos:6;pos:1" href="
https://www.engadget.com/nasa-artemis-program-explained-moon-mars-colonization-video-143013129.html">transporting material to the Moon[/url] more efficient. “A safe, reusable nuclear tug spacecraft would revolutionize cislunar operations,” said Shireman. “With more speed, agility and maneuverability, nuclear thermal propulsion also has many national security applications for cislunar space.”</p><div id="e88ca7adfb4448c1ab388a6b9e1eae16"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="
https://www.youtube.com/embed/LSIlLUKiiGE" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p></p>This article originally appeared on Engadget at
https://www.engadget.com/nasa-picks-lockheed-martin-to-build-the-nuclear-rocket-thatll-take-us-to-mars-170035659.html?src=rssSource:
NASA picks Lockheed Martin to build the nuclear rocket that’ll take us to Mars
