{"id":285040,"date":"2023-01-24T20:36:00","date_gmt":"2023-01-25T01:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?migration=converted-node-485180"},"modified":"2023-11-24T08:51:02","modified_gmt":"2023-11-24T13:51:02","slug":"nasa-darpa-will-test-nuclear-engine-for-future-mars-missions","status":"publish","type":"press-release","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/news-release\/nasa-darpa-will-test-nuclear-engine-for-future-mars-missions\/","title":{"rendered":"NASA, DARPA Will Test Nuclear Engine for Future Mars Missions"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/draco-4-darpa-nasa-ussf-caption.jpg\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1146\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/draco-4-darpa-nasa-ussf-caption.jpg?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"DRACO-4-DARPA-NASA-USSF\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/draco-4-darpa-nasa-ussf-caption.jpg 7680w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/draco-4-darpa-nasa-ussf-caption.jpg?resize=300,168 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/draco-4-darpa-nasa-ussf-caption.jpg?resize=768,430 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/draco-4-darpa-nasa-ussf-caption.jpg?resize=1024,573 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/draco-4-darpa-nasa-ussf-caption.jpg?resize=1536,859 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/draco-4-darpa-nasa-ussf-caption.jpg?resize=2048,1146 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/draco-4-darpa-nasa-ussf-caption.jpg?resize=400,224 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/draco-4-darpa-nasa-ussf-caption.jpg?resize=600,336 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/draco-4-darpa-nasa-ussf-caption.jpg?resize=900,503 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/draco-4-darpa-nasa-ussf-caption.jpg?resize=1200,671 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/draco-4-darpa-nasa-ussf-caption.jpg?resize=2000,1119 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>NASA and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) announced Tuesday a collaboration to demonstrate a nuclear thermal rocket engine in space, an enabling capability for NASA crewed missions to Mars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>NASA and DARPA will partner on the Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations, or DRACO, program. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/darpa-nasa_draco_nonreimbursable_interagency_agreement_final_2023-01-11_.pdf?emrc=d6dd10\">non-reimbursable agreement<\/a> designed to benefit both agencies, outlines roles, responsibilities, and processes aimed at speeding up development efforts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNASA will work with our long-term partner, DARPA, to develop and demonstrate advanced nuclear thermal propulsion technology as soon as 2027. With the help of this new technology, astronauts could journey to and from deep space faster than ever \u2013 a major capability to prepare for crewed missions to Mars,\u201d said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. \u201cCongratulations to both NASA and DARPA on this exciting investment, as we ignite the future, together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Using a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/spacetech\/nuclear-propulsion-could-help-get-humans-to-mars-faster\/\">nuclear thermal rocket<\/a> allows for faster transit time, reducing risk for astronauts. Reducing transit time is a key component for human missions to Mars, as longer trips require more supplies and more robust systems. Maturing faster, more efficient transportation technology will help NASA meet its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/press-release\/nasa-s-stakeholder-collaborations-help-inform-moon-to-mars-planning\">Moon to Mars Objectives<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Other benefits to space travel include increased science payload capacity and higher power for instrumentation and communication. In a nuclear thermal rocket engine, a fission reactor is used to generate extremely high temperatures. The engine transfers the heat produced by the reactor to a liquid propellant, which is expanded and exhausted through a nozzle to propel the spacecraft. Nuclear thermal rockets can be three or more times more efficient than conventional chemical propulsion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNASA has a long history of collaborating with DARPA on projects that enable our respective missions, such as in-space servicing,\u201d said NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy. \u201cExpanding our partnership to nuclear propulsion will help drive forward NASA\u2019s goal to send humans to Mars.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Under the agreement, NASA\u2019s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) will lead technical development of the nuclear thermal engine to be integrated with DARPA\u2019s experimental spacecraft. DARPA is acting as the contracting authority for the development of the entire stage and the engine, which includes the reactor. DARPA will lead the overall program including rocket systems integration and procurement, approvals, scheduling, and security, cover safety and liability, and ensure overall assembly and integration of the engine with the spacecraft. Over the course of the development, NASA and DARPA will collaborate on assembly of the engine before the in-space demonstration as early as 2027. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cDARPA and NASA have a long history of fruitful collaboration in advancing technologies for our respective goals, from the Saturn V rocket that took humans to the Moon for the first time to robotic servicing and refueling of satellites,\u201d said Dr. Stefanie Tompkins, director, DARPA. \u201cThe space domain is critical to modern commerce, scientific discovery, and national security. The ability to accomplish leap-ahead advances in space technology through the DRACO nuclear thermal rocket program will be essential for more efficiently and quickly transporting material to the Moon and eventually, people to Mars.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The last nuclear thermal rocket engine tests conducted by the United States occurred more than 50 years ago under NASA\u2019s Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Application and Rover projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWith this collaboration, we will leverage our expertise gained from many previous space nuclear power and propulsion projects,\u201d said Jim Reuter, associate administrator for STMD. \u201cRecent aerospace materials and engineering advancements are enabling a new era for space nuclear technology, and this flight demonstration will be a major achievement toward establishing a space transportation capability for an Earth-Moon economy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>NASA, the Department of Energy (DOE), and industry are also developing advanced space nuclear technologies for multiple initiatives to harness power for space exploration. Through NASA\u2019s Fission Surface Power project, DOE <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/press-release\/nasa-announces-artemis-concept-awards-for-nuclear-power-on-moon\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">awarded three commercial design efforts<\/a> to develop nuclear power plant concepts that could be used on the surface of the Moon and, later, Mars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>NASA and DOE are working another commercial design effort to advance higher temperature fission fuels and reactor designs as part of a nuclear thermal propulsion engine. These design efforts are still under development to support a longer-range goal for increased engine performance and will not be used for the DRACO engine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To learn more about STMD, please visit:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"h04BdaNfHe\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/image-detail\/spacetech\/\">spacetech<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);\" title=\"“spacetech” — NASA\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/image-detail\/spacetech\/embed\/#?secret=nwohtFPM5f#?secret=h04BdaNfHe\" data-secret=\"h04BdaNfHe\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>-end-<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NASA and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) announced Tuesday a collaboration to demonstrate a nuclear thermal rocket engine in space, an enabling capability for NASA crewed missions to Mars. NASA and DARPA will partner on the Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations, or DRACO, program. The non-reimbursable agreement designed to benefit both agencies, outlines [...]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":497,"featured_media":285651,"template":"","meta":{"nasa_hds_core_meta_l10n":"en-US","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_editor":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_contacts":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_topic":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_linked_locations":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_related_articles":[],"hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_id":"23-012","hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_type":"RELEASE","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_x":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_y":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_gallery_images":[]},"categories":[],"news-tags":[12375],"internal-terms":[13063],"coauthors":[12832],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"NASA, DARPA Will Test Nuclear Engine for Future Mars Missions","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/news-release\/nasa-darpa-will-test-nuclear-engine-for-future-mars-missions\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/news-release\/nasa-darpa-will-test-nuclear-engine-for-future-mars-missions\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/draco-4-darpa-nasa-ussf-caption.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/draco-4-darpa-nasa-ussf-caption.jpg"},"articleSection":"General","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Roxana Bardan"}],"creator":["Roxana Bardan"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NASA","logo":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/themes\/nasa\/assets\/images\/nasa-logo.svg"},"keywords":[],"dateCreated":"2023-01-25T01:36:00Z","datePublished":"2023-01-25T01:36:00Z","dateModified":"2023-11-24T13:51:02Z"},"rendered":"<meta name=\"parsely-title\" content=\"NASA, DARPA Will Test Nuclear Engine for Future Mars Missions\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-link\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/news-release\/nasa-darpa-will-test-nuclear-engine-for-future-mars-missions\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-type\" content=\"post\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-image-url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/draco-4-darpa-nasa-ussf-caption.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-pub-date\" content=\"2023-01-25T01:36:00Z\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-section\" content=\"General\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-author\" content=\"Roxana Bardan\" \/>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/nasa.gov\/p.js"},"read_time":4,"featured_image":{"id":285651,"file":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/draco-4-darpa-nasa-ussf-caption.jpg","title":"draco-4-darpa-nasa-ussf-caption","alt":"DRACO-4-DARPA-NASA-USSF","caption":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press-release\/285040"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press-release"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/press-release"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/497"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press-release\/285040\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":566692,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press-release\/285040\/revisions\/566692"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/285651"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=285040"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=285040"},{"taxonomy":"news-tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-tags?post=285040"},{"taxonomy":"internal-terms","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-terms?post=285040"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=285040"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}