- Oppenheimer’s movie highlights non-lethal atomic propulsion for space travel.
- SpaceX to transport Musk’s colonists to Mars using an NTP rocket.
- Pulsar Fusion develops a nuclear fusion propulsion prototype by 2025, and in-orbit rocket production by 2027.
- NASA awards $5 million contracts to BWX Technologies, GAAES, and Ultra Safe Nuclear Technologies.
While the recent Oppenheimer blockbuster movie concentrated on the deadly power of nuclear weapons, additional non-lethal applications of atomic propulsion for space travel are gradually regaining ground.
An in-space engine demonstration is scheduled for 2027, and nuclear fission and fusion power propulsion are now being studied in Europe and the US. Because it is more powerful and efficient than traditional chemical rocket engines, nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) is appealing.
Atomic rockets
Elon Musk‘s colonists will be transported to Mars by SpaceX using its liquid oxygen and liquid methane-powered Starship Heavy rocket. NTP is the ideal option for crewed trips to the red planet, according to NASA’s Human Exploration of Mars Design Reference Mission 5.0.
Nuclear fission-based power systems for the NEP are being developed by Pulsar Fusion with funding from the UK Space Agency (UKSA). With the help of a test chamber, it got this year, Pulsar Fusion is preparing to conduct plasma tests utilizing actual-size, real-world plasma shots at Pulsar.
A nuclear fusion propulsion prototype will be developed by Pulsar Fusion by 2025 for a static demonstration and will be followed by the production of a rocket for in-orbit testing starting in 2027.
Pulsar Fusion wants to employ fusion reactors for propulsion systems for interplanetary travel. A speed of service with a strong value proposition may be accomplished thanks to the huge thrust levels that are possible. The expertise of Rolls-Royce in nuclear submarine propulsion and compact modular reactors could be used for extended space missions.
Since January of this year, NASA has been collaborating with DARPA on its Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO) program. Nuclear propulsion is appealing to NASA because it would shorten the nine-month trip to Mars compared to conventional chemical rockets.
Three NTP reactor design concept proposals have been chosen by NASA, and associated contract awards totaling $5 million each have been made. The winners were Ultra Safe Nuclear Technologies, BWX Technologies, a producer of naval nuclear reactors, and General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems.
NEP investigations are being funded by the European Space Agency (ESA), with three institutions receiving €250,000 each for an 11-month project. The safety of NEP in space and deploying these nuclear systems from Earth will both be studied.
