{"id":307746,"date":"2018-05-25T15:00:00","date_gmt":"2018-05-25T19:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?migration=converted-node-424808"},"modified":"2023-09-29T19:07:24","modified_gmt":"2023-09-29T23:07:24","slug":"nuclear-thermal-propulsion-game-changing-technology-for-deep-space-exploration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/stmd\/tech-demo-missions-program\/nuclear-thermal-propulsion-game-changing-technology-for-deep-space-exploration\/","title":{"rendered":"Nuclear Thermal Propulsion: Game Changing Technology for Deep Space Exploration"},"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-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/photo-3-ntp-researchers.jpg\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1367\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/photo-3-ntp-researchers.jpg?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Two men look at a computer on a table in front of Nuclear Thermal Propulsion equipment.\" 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\/2018\/05\/photo-3-ntp-researchers.jpg 3600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/photo-3-ntp-researchers.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/photo-3-ntp-researchers.jpg?resize=768,513 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/photo-3-ntp-researchers.jpg?resize=1024,684 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/photo-3-ntp-researchers.jpg?resize=1536,1025 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/photo-3-ntp-researchers.jpg?resize=2048,1367 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/photo-3-ntp-researchers.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/photo-3-ntp-researchers.jpg?resize=600,401 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/photo-3-ntp-researchers.jpg?resize=900,601 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/photo-3-ntp-researchers.jpg?resize=1200,801 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/photo-3-ntp-researchers.jpg?resize=2000,1335 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Today\u2019s advances in materials, testing capabilities, and reactor development are providing impetus for NASA to appraise Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) as an attractive 21st century option to propel human exploration missions to Mars and other deep space destinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Utilizing nuclear technology as an ingredient of NASA\u2019s exploration prowess is not new. NTP research is part of the space agency\u2019s storied history. In 1961, NASA and the former Atomic Energy Commission jointly embarked on the Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Application (NERVA) program \u2013 an effort that over several years led to the design, building, and testing of reactors and rocket engines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Those programmatic high points spurred then-NASA Marshall Space Flight Center director and rocket pioneer, Wernher von Braun, to advocate for a proposed mission, dispatching a dozen crew members to Mars aboard two rockets. Each rocket would be propelled by three NERVA engines. As detailed by von Braun, that expeditionary crew would launch to the Red Planet in November 1981 and land on that distant world in August 1982. In presenting his visionary plan in August 1969 to a Space Task Group, von Braun explained that \u201calthough the undertaking of this mission will be a great national challenge, it represents no greater challenge than the commitment made in 1961 to land a man on the moon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<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\/2018\/05\/photo_1_von_braun_2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"584\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/photo_1_von_braun_2.jpg?w=584\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Wernher von Braun\" 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\/2018\/05\/photo_1_von_braun_2.jpg 584w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/photo_1_von_braun_2.jpg?resize=243,300 243w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/photo_1_von_braun_2.jpg?resize=324,400 324w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/photo_1_von_braun_2.jpg?resize=487,600 487w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">In the 1960s, rocket pioneer Wernher von Braun served as NASA\u2019s Marshall Space Flight Center director and blueprinted use of Nuclear Thermal Propulsion to send astronauts to Mars by the early 1980s.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">Credits: NASA\/Marshall Space Flight Center<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>But shifting priorities, political winds and space budget cutbacks led to curtailment of NASA\u2019s nuclear propulsion work at the end of 1972.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Architectural robustness<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, fast forward over 45 years ago to today. There is once again recognition that NTP is a viable and powerful option to explore Mars and other destinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re working on a first generation NTP system that has great growth potential,\u201d explains Doyce \u201cSonny\u201d Mitchell, manager of the NTP project at NASA\u2019s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. NTP is experiencing a renewed relevance, a new focus on \u201carchitectural robustness,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mitchell says that NTP advanced systems could provide far faster transit times to Mars.<\/p>\n\n\n<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\/2018\/05\/photo_2_nerva_drawing.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"482\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/photo_2_nerva_drawing.jpg?w=1024\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"NERVA Rocket Engine.\" 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\/2018\/05\/photo_2_nerva_drawing.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/photo_2_nerva_drawing.jpg?resize=300,141 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/photo_2_nerva_drawing.jpg?resize=768,362 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/photo_2_nerva_drawing.jpg?resize=400,188 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/photo_2_nerva_drawing.jpg?resize=600,282 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/photo_2_nerva_drawing.jpg?resize=900,424 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">New work on Nuclear Thermal Propulsion builds upon NASA\u2019s Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Application (NERVA) program of the 1960s. This is an explanatory drawing of the NERVA thermodynamic nuclear rocket engine.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">Credits: NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Potential advantages of NTP for human Mars missions include reduced transit time to the planet and back to Earth. Getting back and forth in speedy fashion between planets also reduces astronaut exposure to radiation and other hazards, including the impact on the human body of exposure to microgravity. First generation NTP systems could cut total mission duration in half, while still leaving adequate time for Mars surface exploration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, using NTP provides a plus for flight planners that must consider potential abort scenarios, Mitchell notes, \u201cand that gives you margins, something we all like.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With NTP, missions to Mars could be achieved at times when Earth and the Red Planet are in less favorable orbital positions relative to each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All that said, energetic NTP yields exceptional efficiency, measured in space-speak as \u201cspecific impulse\u201d \u2013 the change in momentum per unit mass of propellant. NTP offers enhanced energy density, far greater than that of customary chemical systems. It becomes feasible to quickly bridge the intervening vacuum void between Earth and Mars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>New approaches <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Recent advances in materials technology may provide a more affordable pathway to development of a nuclear rocket engine, suggests Michael Houts, the NTP principal investigator on the project at NASA Marshall. For decades, a range of nuclear propulsion system designs have involved reactors fueled by highly enriched uranium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNow we\u2019re looking at systems that use low-enriched uranium,\u201d Houts points out. One key benefit of this approach is that using low-enriched uranium may allow established rocket engine test facilities to be modified for use in qualifying NTP systems..  Systems for capturing all potentially radioactive effluents from ground testing are also being developed and demonstrated, further increasing flexibility in test site location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Secondarily, using low-enriched uranium could be less impactful on budget and schedule due to the reduction of handling and security regulations, Houts observes. \u201cThose two items can be very beneficial for our NTP work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The overall goal of the NTP project, Mitchell notes, is to determine the viability and affordability of a low enriched uranium-based NTP engine.<\/p>\n\n\n<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\/2018\/05\/nep_photo_5.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1571\" height=\"607\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/nep_photo_5.jpg?w=1571\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"NTP in space above the Earth.\" 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\/2018\/05\/nep_photo_5.jpg 1571w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/nep_photo_5.jpg?resize=300,116 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/nep_photo_5.jpg?resize=768,297 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/nep_photo_5.jpg?resize=1024,396 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/nep_photo_5.jpg?resize=1536,593 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/nep_photo_5.jpg?resize=400,155 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/nep_photo_5.jpg?resize=600,232 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/nep_photo_5.jpg?resize=900,348 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/nep_photo_5.jpg?resize=1200,464 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1571px) 100vw, 1571px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) can help enable detailed exploration of the solar system, be it enhancing operations in cis-lunar space, shaping robust human Mars mission plans or a variety of outer planet space science endeavors.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">Credits: NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Past NERVA research found that graphite composite fueled engines exhibited unwanted erosion and cracking. Therefore, the push to appraise a candidate ceramic-metallic fuel form is a key focus for the new NTP initiative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Fuel fabrication<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>BWXT Nuclear Energy, Inc., headquartered in Lynchburg, Virginia is working with NASA on initial reactor conceptual trades and designs, initial fuel and core fabrication development, licensing support for initial ground testing, and engine test program development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt is an opportune time to pivot our capabilities into the space market where we see long-term growth opportunities in nuclear propulsion and nuclear surface power,\u201d says Rex Geveden, BWXT\u2019s President and Chief Executive Officer. Manufacturing the reactor and fuel for a nuclear-powered spacecraft is one example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>NTP fuel is currently being developed and fabricated by BWXT. Fuel samples are undergoing non-nuclear testing in NASA\u2019s Compact Fuel Element Environmental Tester (CFEET) at NASA\u2019s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, helping to validate fabrication techniques and performance, Houts notes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Non-nuclear testing of full-length fuel segments is planned for NASA\u2019s Nuclear Thermal Rocket Element Environmental Simulator (NTREES), and potential follow-on projects may include fuel element testing at a Department of Energy facility, such as Idaho National Laboratory\u2019s Transient Reactor Test Facility.<\/p>\n\n\n<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\/2018\/05\/nep_photo_6.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"409\" height=\"657\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/nep_photo_6.jpg?w=409\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Vehicles in flight.\" 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\/2018\/05\/nep_photo_6.jpg 409w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/nep_photo_6.jpg?resize=187,300 187w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/nep_photo_6.jpg?resize=249,400 249w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/nep_photo_6.jpg?resize=374,600 374w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 409px) 100vw, 409px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">The first U.S. space-based space fission system to be launched in decades will be a tremendous first step toward the development and utilization of highly advanced space fission systems. Doing so can be analogous to history-making jumps in aviation, from the DC-3 to SR-71.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">u003cstrongu003eu003cemu003eCredits: Boeing and USAF\/Judson Brohmer\/Armstrong Flight Research Centeru003c\/emu003eu003c\/strongu003e<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Full utilization of NTP systems will also require an engine ground test facility. One option under review is use of the NASA\u2019s Stennis Space Center\u2019s A3 test stand to fully confine the hydrogen exhaust, and other options are being considered as well. Stennis is currently on track for a 2019 subscale demonstration of NTP exhaust capture, NASA\u2019s Houts says. \u201cThere is a lot of work underway. We\u2019re advancing at a good rate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Opening up the solar system<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tackling the NTP technological readiness levels \u2013 known as TRLs \u2013 is challenging, Houts says, and progress is being made to make a strong case for nuclear thermal propulsion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re starting on the ground floor with new technologies and there\u2019s tremendous growth potential. We need to keep moving forward. We feel that there are no technical showstoppers to making NTP work because we believe we are addressing the major issues,\u201d Houts explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The role of a first-generation NTP in the evolution to advanced nuclear propulsion systems, Houts senses, could be analogous to the role of the DC-3 airplane in the development of advanced aviation. The Douglas DC-3 revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s, making air travel popular and is widely recognized as the greatest airplane of its time.<\/p>\n\n\n<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\/2018\/05\/photo_4_ntp_outward_bound.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1502\" height=\"846\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/photo_4_ntp_outward_bound.jpg?w=1502\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Vehicle in space above the earth.\" 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\/2018\/05\/photo_4_ntp_outward_bound.jpg 1502w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/photo_4_ntp_outward_bound.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/photo_4_ntp_outward_bound.jpg?resize=768,433 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/photo_4_ntp_outward_bound.jpg?resize=1024,577 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/photo_4_ntp_outward_bound.jpg?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/photo_4_ntp_outward_bound.jpg?resize=600,338 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/photo_4_ntp_outward_bound.jpg?resize=900,507 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/photo_4_ntp_outward_bound.jpg?resize=1200,676 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1502px) 100vw, 1502px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Visionary view of a Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) enabled spacecraft mission outward bound. Tapping NTP can shorten travel times between Earth and the Red Planet...and to other deep space destinations.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">Credits: NASA<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>The first flight of a modern, useful space fission system will be a tremendous first step towards the development and utilization of highly advanced space fission systems \u2013 comparable to the evolution from the DC-3 to the super-fast, high-altitude, record-setting SR-71 Blackbird, the most advanced airplane ever built in relation to the technology available at the time, Houts adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Looking into the future, Mitchell as the NTP project manager would like to see us explore large portions of the solar system by century\u2019s end. \u201cAnd that\u2019s where we have to open up a new technology,\u201d he says, and the potential capability of NTP is game changing for space exploration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Houts emphasized that there is an expanding list of applications for NTP to help enable detailed exploration of the solar system, including wide-ranging development and use of cislunar space. An NTP reactor could be used in blueprinting robust human exploration missions to Mars and beyond in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For more information about the NTP project and other Game Changing Development technologies, visit:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/gameon.nasa.gov\/\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/gameon.nasa.gov\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The work on Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) is under the auspices of the Space Technology Mission Directorate\u2019s Game Changing Development Program.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Today\u2019s advances in materials, testing capabilities, and reactor development are providing impetus for NASA to appraise Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) as an attractive 21st century option to propel human exploration missions to Mars and other deep space destinations. Utilizing nuclear technology as an ingredient of NASA\u2019s exploration prowess is not new. NTP research is part [...]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":66,"featured_media":355510,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","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":"","hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_type":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_x":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_y":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_gallery_images":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[3335],"news-tags":[],"internal-terms":[],"coauthors":[],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Nuclear Thermal Propulsion: Game Changing Technology for Deep Space Exploration","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/stmd\/tech-demo-missions-program\/nuclear-thermal-propulsion-game-changing-technology-for-deep-space-exploration\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/stmd\/tech-demo-missions-program\/nuclear-thermal-propulsion-game-changing-technology-for-deep-space-exploration\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/photo-3-ntp-researchers.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/photo-3-ntp-researchers.jpg"},"articleSection":"NASA Directorates","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Loura Hall"}],"creator":["Loura Hall"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NASA","logo":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/themes\/nasa\/assets\/images\/nasa-logo.svg"},"keywords":["NASA Directorates","Space Technology Mission Directorate","Technology Demonstration Missions Program"],"dateCreated":"2018-05-25T19:00:00Z","datePublished":"2018-05-25T19:00:00Z","dateModified":"2023-09-29T23:07:24Z"},"rendered":"<meta name=\"parsely-title\" content=\"Nuclear Thermal Propulsion: Game Changing Technology for Deep Space Exploration\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-link\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/stmd\/tech-demo-missions-program\/nuclear-thermal-propulsion-game-changing-technology-for-deep-space-exploration\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-type\" content=\"post\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-image-url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/photo-3-ntp-researchers.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-pub-date\" content=\"2018-05-25T19:00:00Z\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-section\" content=\"NASA Directorates\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-tags\" content=\"NASA Directorates,Space Technology Mission Directorate,Technology Demonstration Missions Program\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-author\" content=\"Loura Hall\" \/>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/nasa.gov\/p.js"},"read_time":7,"time_ago":"6 years","featured_image":{"id":355510,"file":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/photo-3-ntp-researchers.jpg","title":"photo-3-ntp-researchers","alt":"Two men look at a computer on a table in front of Nuclear Thermal Propulsion equipment.","caption":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/307746"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/66"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=307746"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/307746\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":355540,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/307746\/revisions\/355540"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/355510"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=307746"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=307746"},{"taxonomy":"news-tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-tags?post=307746"},{"taxonomy":"internal-terms","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-terms?post=307746"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=307746"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}