{"id":303177,"date":"2023-05-08T16:34:18","date_gmt":"2023-05-08T20:34:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?post_type=topic&p=303177"},"modified":"2024-02-06T10:03:41","modified_gmt":"2024-02-06T15:03:41","slug":"space-nuclear-propulsion","status":"publish","type":"topic","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/tdm\/space-nuclear-propulsion\/","title":{"rendered":"Space Nuclear Propulsion"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\" hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-secondary-navigation\"><div class=\"hds-secondary-navigation-wrapper z-top width-100 padding-0\"><div id=\"\" class=\"hds-secondary-navigation width-full border-bottom-1px text-center hds-color-mode-light hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-hdsnav\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"hds-secondary-nav-mobile-button display-flex tablet:display-flex desktop:display-none width-full flex-align-center bg-carbon-90 border-color-carbon-80 color-spacesuit-white\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"hds-secondary-nav-track\"><span>TDM<\/span><svg width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 400 400\" viewBox=\"0 0 400 400\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m4.2 122.2 195.1 195.1 196.5-196.6-37.9-38-157.8 157.8-156.8-156.8z\" \/><\/svg><\/button><div class=\"hds-secondary-nav-track grid-container grid-container-extrawide padding-0 tablet:padding-x-3 desktop:padding-x-2 \"><div class=\"hds-secondary-navigation-menu-items\"><nav><ul class=\"usa-nav__primary usa-accordion flex-justify-center margin-0\"><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/tdm\/\">TDM Home<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/tdm\/about-tdm\/\">About<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"basic-nav-section-one\"><span>Projects<\/span><svg class=\"hds-desktop-submenu-toggle-icon display-none tablet:display-none desktop:display-block\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 400 400\" viewBox=\"0 0 400 400\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m4.2 122.2 195.1 195.1 196.5-196.6-37.9-38-157.8 157.8-156.8-156.8z\" \/><\/svg><svg class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon display-block tablet:display-block desktop:display-none\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle cx=\"8\" cy=\"8\" r=\"7.5\" fill=\"#0B3D91\" stroke=\"white\"\/><rect x=\"4\" y=\"7.6001\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" fill=\"white\"\/><rect class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon-line-vertical\" x=\"7.59998\" y=\"12\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" transform=\"rotate(-90 7.59998 12)\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><\/button><ul id=\"basic-nav-section-one\" class=\"usa-nav__submenu\" hidden><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/technology-demonstration-missions-tdm\/#active\">Active Projects<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/tdm\/past-technology-demonstration-missions\/\">Past Projects <\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/tdm\/technology-demonstration-missions-tdm-news\/\">TDM News<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/gallery\/technology-demonstration-missions-tdm\/\">Multimedia<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/tdm\/about-tdm\/#media\">Media Resources<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-full maxw-full width-full padding-0 hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-page-intro\">\n\t<div class=\"padding-0 bg-spacesuit-white wp-block-nasa-blocks-page-intro\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-page-intro hds-page-intro-banner width-full maxw-full padding-0 hds-cover-wrapper minh-tablet\">\n\t\t<div class=\"hds-foreground-wrapper display-flex\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-container grid-container-block margin-top-auto margin-bottom-auto width-full maxw-desktop-lg padding-top-9 padding-x-3 z-400\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6 desktop:padding-right-4 margin-bottom-3 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"page-heading-md line-height-sm color-spacesuit-white-important\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSpace Nuclear Propulsion\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p-lg color-carbon-30-important\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6 desktop:padding-right-4 margin-bottom-3 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-left mobile-skrim-top z-200\"><\/div>\n\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1438\" height=\"809\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/nuclear_thermal_propulsion-concept.jpeg?w=1438\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Illustration of a conceptual spacecraft enabled by nuclear thermal propulsion.\" 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\/2021\/07\/nuclear_thermal_propulsion-concept.jpeg 1438w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/nuclear_thermal_propulsion-concept.jpeg?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/nuclear_thermal_propulsion-concept.jpeg?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/nuclear_thermal_propulsion-concept.jpeg?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/nuclear_thermal_propulsion-concept.jpeg?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/nuclear_thermal_propulsion-concept.jpeg?resize=600,338 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/nuclear_thermal_propulsion-concept.jpeg?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/nuclear_thermal_propulsion-concept.jpeg?resize=1200,675 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1438px) 100vw, 1438px\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/figure>\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Space nuclear propulsion is a technology that draws energy from fission instead of traditional chemical reactions, thus providing virtually unlimited energy density and opening the door for crewed missions to Mars and deep space science. NASA is looking at two types of nuclear propulsion systems \u2013 thermal and electric.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nuclear thermal propulsion provides high thrust and twice the propellant efficiency of chemical rockets. The system works by transferring heat from the reactor to a liquid propellant. That heat converts the liquid into a gas, which expands through a nozzle to provide thrust and propel a spacecraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nuclear electric propulsion systems use propellants much more efficiently than chemical rockets but provide a low amount of thrust. They use a reactor to generate electricity that positively charges gas propellants and pushes the ions out through a thruster, which drives the spacecraft forward.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-card-grid padding-top-7 padding-bottom-3 padding-x-0 hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-card-grid\">\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-card-grid-header grid-container grid-container-block\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-start margin-bottom-5\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"desktop:grid-col-8 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"section-heading-sm line-height-sm\">SNP News Articles<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"desktop:grid-col display-flex flex-align-center desktop:flex-justify-end\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-gap-2\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-card-grid-cards grid-container grid-container-block\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cards-included grid-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-card-custom hds-card color-carbon-black display-flex flex-column margin-bottom-5 mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 margin-bottom-6\"><div class=\"hds-card-inner\"><div class=\"hds-card-thumbnail hds-card-hover-zoom-image margin-bottom-2 bg-carbon-black\"><figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"358\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/draco-4-darpa-nasa-ussf-caption_2.jpg?w=640\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"Artist concept of Demonstration for Rocket to Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO) spacecraft.\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/draco-4-darpa-nasa-ussf-caption_2.jpg 985w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/draco-4-darpa-nasa-ussf-caption_2.jpg?resize=300,168 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/draco-4-darpa-nasa-ussf-caption_2.jpg?resize=768,430 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/draco-4-darpa-nasa-ussf-caption_2.jpg?resize=400,224 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/draco-4-darpa-nasa-ussf-caption_2.jpg?resize=600,336 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/draco-4-darpa-nasa-ussf-caption_2.jpg?resize=900,503 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"padding-right-0\"><div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"heading-18\">NASA, DARPA Partner with Industry on Mars Rocket Engine<\/h3><\/div><p class=\"margin-top-0 line-height-lg\"><\/p><div class=\"margin-top-2\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/technology\/nasa-darpa-partner-with-industry-on-mars-rocket-engine\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"button-primary button-primary-md link-external-0\"><span role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Write button text here\" class=\"line-height-alt-1\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap; min-width: 1px;\">Read More<\/span><svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"button-primary-circle\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"hds-card-custom hds-card color-carbon-black display-flex flex-column margin-bottom-5 mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 margin-bottom-6\"><div class=\"hds-card-inner\"><div class=\"hds-card-thumbnail hds-card-hover-zoom-image margin-bottom-2 bg-carbon-black\"><figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"358\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/draco-4-darpa-nasa-ussf-caption_2.jpg?w=640\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"Artist concept of Demonstration for Rocket to Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO) spacecraft.\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/draco-4-darpa-nasa-ussf-caption_2.jpg 985w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/draco-4-darpa-nasa-ussf-caption_2.jpg?resize=300,168 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/draco-4-darpa-nasa-ussf-caption_2.jpg?resize=768,430 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/draco-4-darpa-nasa-ussf-caption_2.jpg?resize=400,224 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/draco-4-darpa-nasa-ussf-caption_2.jpg?resize=600,336 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/draco-4-darpa-nasa-ussf-caption_2.jpg?resize=900,503 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"padding-right-0\"><div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"heading-18\">NASA, DARPA Will Test Nuclear Engine for Future Mars Missions<\/h3><\/div><p class=\"margin-top-0 line-height-lg\"><\/p><div class=\"margin-top-2\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/news-release\/nasa-darpa-will-test-nuclear-engine-for-future-mars-missions\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"button-primary button-primary-md link-external-0\"><span role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Write button text here\" class=\"line-height-alt-1\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap; min-width: 1px;\">Read More<\/span><svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"button-primary-circle\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"hds-card-custom hds-card color-carbon-black display-flex flex-column margin-bottom-5 mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 margin-bottom-6\"><div class=\"hds-card-inner\"><div class=\"hds-card-thumbnail hds-card-hover-zoom-image margin-bottom-2 bg-carbon-black\"><figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/nuclear_thermal_propulsion-concept.jpeg?w=640\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"Illustration of a conceptual spacecraft enabled by nuclear thermal propulsion.\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2); transform-origin: 76% 40%; object-position: 76% 40%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/nuclear_thermal_propulsion-concept.jpeg 1438w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/nuclear_thermal_propulsion-concept.jpeg?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/nuclear_thermal_propulsion-concept.jpeg?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/nuclear_thermal_propulsion-concept.jpeg?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/nuclear_thermal_propulsion-concept.jpeg?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/nuclear_thermal_propulsion-concept.jpeg?resize=600,338 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/nuclear_thermal_propulsion-concept.jpeg?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/nuclear_thermal_propulsion-concept.jpeg?resize=1200,675 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"padding-right-0\"><div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"heading-18\">NASA Announces Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Reactor Concept Awards<\/h3><\/div><p class=\"margin-top-0 line-height-lg\"><\/p><div class=\"margin-top-2\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/news-release\/nasa-announces-nuclear-thermal-propulsion-reactor-concept-awards\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"button-primary button-primary-md link-external-0\"><span role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Write button text here\" class=\"line-height-alt-1\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap; min-width: 1px;\">Read More<\/span><svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"button-primary-circle\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"hds-card-custom hds-card color-carbon-black display-flex flex-column margin-bottom-5 mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 margin-bottom-6\"><div class=\"hds-card-inner\"><div class=\"hds-card-thumbnail hds-card-hover-zoom-image margin-bottom-2 bg-carbon-black\"><figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/nep_mars_no_planets-1_0.png?w=640\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"Artist concept of space vehicle above Mars.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 35% 51%; object-position: 35% 51%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/nep_mars_no_planets-1_0.png 1041w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/nep_mars_no_planets-1_0.png?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/nep_mars_no_planets-1_0.png?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/nep_mars_no_planets-1_0.png?resize=1024,575 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/nep_mars_no_planets-1_0.png?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/nep_mars_no_planets-1_0.png?resize=600,337 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/nep_mars_no_planets-1_0.png?resize=900,506 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"padding-right-0\"><div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"heading-18\">Nuclear Propulsion Could Help Get Humans to Mars Faster<\/h3><\/div><p class=\"margin-top-0 line-height-lg\"><\/p><div class=\"margin-top-2\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/solar-system\/nuclear-propulsion-could-help-get-humans-to-mars-faster\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"button-primary button-primary-md link-external-0\"><span role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Write button text here\" class=\"line-height-alt-1\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap; min-width: 1px;\">Read More<\/span><svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"button-primary-circle\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"hds-card-custom hds-card color-carbon-black display-flex flex-column margin-bottom-5 mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 margin-bottom-6\"><div class=\"hds-card-inner\"><div class=\"hds-card-thumbnail hds-card-hover-zoom-image margin-bottom-2 bg-carbon-black\"><figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/3-spacesuits.png?w=640\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"Three astronauts are on the surface of a unnamed planet.\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2); transform-origin: 94% 43%; object-position: 94% 43%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/3-spacesuits.png 1920w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/3-spacesuits.png?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/3-spacesuits.png?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/3-spacesuits.png?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/3-spacesuits.png?resize=1536,864 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/3-spacesuits.png?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/3-spacesuits.png?resize=600,338 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/3-spacesuits.png?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/3-spacesuits.png?resize=1200,675 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"padding-right-0\"><div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"heading-18\">6 Technologies NASA is Advancing to Send Humans to Mars<\/h3><\/div><p class=\"margin-top-0 line-height-lg\"><\/p><div class=\"margin-top-2\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/stmd\/6-technologies-nasa-is-advancing-to-send-humans-to-mars\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"button-primary button-primary-md link-external-0\"><span role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Write button text here\" class=\"line-height-alt-1\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap; min-width: 1px;\">Read More<\/span><svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"button-primary-circle\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"hds-card-custom hds-card color-carbon-black display-flex flex-column margin-bottom-5 mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 margin-bottom-6\"><div class=\"hds-card-inner\"><div class=\"hds-card-thumbnail hds-card-hover-zoom-image margin-bottom-2 bg-carbon-black\"><figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/photo-3-ntp-researchers.jpg?w=640\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" 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\/05\/photo-3-ntp-researchers.jpg 3600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/photo-3-ntp-researchers.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/photo-3-ntp-researchers.jpg?resize=768,513 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/photo-3-ntp-researchers.jpg?resize=1024,684 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/photo-3-ntp-researchers.jpg?resize=1536,1025 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/photo-3-ntp-researchers.jpg?resize=2048,1367 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/photo-3-ntp-researchers.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/photo-3-ntp-researchers.jpg?resize=600,401 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/photo-3-ntp-researchers.jpg?resize=900,601 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/photo-3-ntp-researchers.jpg?resize=1200,801 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/photo-3-ntp-researchers.jpg?resize=2000,1335 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"padding-right-0\"><div class=\"margin-bottom-1\"><h3 class=\"heading-18\">Nuclear Thermal Propulsion: Game Changing Technology for Deep Space Exploration<\/h3><\/div><p class=\"margin-top-0 line-height-lg\"><\/p><div class=\"margin-top-2\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/stmd\/tech-demo-missions-program\/nuclear-thermal-propulsion-game-changing-technology-for-deep-space-exploration\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"button-primary button-primary-md link-external-0\"><span role=\"textbox\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Write button text here\" class=\"line-height-alt-1\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap; min-width: 1px;\">Read More<\/span><svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"button-primary-circle\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Milestones:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Via a <a href=\"https:\/\/sam.gov\/opp\/ede625f6657e4802a4f5ea2e11b0074d\/view\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">request for proposals<\/a> released in February 2021, NASA and DOE asked industry for preliminary reactor design concepts for a nuclear thermal propulsion system. In July 2021, the government team selected <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/press-release\/nasa-announces-nuclear-thermal-propulsion-reactor-concept-awards\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">three industry teams<\/a> to explore different approaches. Future contracts will generate more detailed reactor designs and build preliminary testing hardware.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>DOE is testing, developing, and assessing the feasibility of new fuels that use low-enriched uranium for space applications.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Idaho National Laboratory is advancing and testing fuel composites at its Transient Reactor Test (TREAT) facility to examine how they perform under the harsh thermal and radiation environments needed for nuclear thermal propulsion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Since 2016, NASA and its partners focused on reducing risk for nuclear thermal propulsion. This effort included fuel element manufacturing and testing; engine performance and feasibility analysis; developing a safe, affordable engine ground test approach; developing a cost and schedule estimate for a full system; and demonstrating successful long-term storage of liquid hydrogen.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A 2016 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/press-release\/nasa-department-of-energy-expand-on-more-than-50-years-of-collaboration\">memorandum of understanding<\/a> between NASA and DOE serves as the basis of this interagency work. An October 2020 NASA-DOE memorandum of understanding expands on it, establishing working groups that focus on developing interagency collaborations for space nuclear power and propulsion.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"width-full maxw-full bg-carbon-05 hds-cover-wrapper minh-tablet-lg hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-callout\">\n\t<div class=\"hds-foreground-wrapper padding-bottom-9 padding-top-9 display-flex\">\n\t\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-container grid-container-block margin-top-auto width-full maxw-desktop-lg padding-top-9 padding-x-3 z-400\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-container grid-container-block margin-top-auto width-full maxw-desktop-lg padding-y-9 padding-x-3 z-400\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6 z-400\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"page-heading-md font-weight-extrabold line-height-heading-1 color-spacesuit-white-important\">Space Nuclear Propulsion Technical Paper<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p-lg margin-top-2 padding-0 margin-bottom-4 color-spacesuit-white-important\">Nuclear electric propulsion systems use propellants much more efficiently than chemical rockets but provide a low amount of thrust.  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.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/calomino-nuclear-v5.pdf?emrc=70cdca\" target=\"_self\" class=\"button-primary  link-external-true\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"line-height-alt-1 color-spacesuit-white-important\" >\n\t\t\t\tLearn More                                    <span class=\"usa-sr-only\"> about Space Nuclear Propulsion Technical Paper<\/span>\n                \t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"button-primary-circle\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6 z-400\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-left mobile-skrim-top z-200\"><\/div>\n\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"985\" height=\"554\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/1-propulsion.gif?w=985\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"A gif of a Illustration of a spacecraft with a nuclear-enabled propulsion system.\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" \/><\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fast facts:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Nuclear thermal propulsion has been on NASA\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/spacetech\/game_changing_development\/Nuclear_Thermal_Propulsion_Deep_Space_Exploration\/\">radar<\/a> for more than 60 years.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nuclear thermal propulsion could be an enabling technology for future crewed missions to Mars, largely due to its performance advantages over conventional chemical propulsion systems. Under NASA\u2019s current Moon to Mars exploration approach, human exploration of Mars is targeted for as early as the 2030s.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nuclear thermal propulsion could allow for more flexible abort scenarios, allowing crew to return to Earth at multiple times, if needed, including immediately upon arrival at Mars.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Materials inside the fission reactor must be able to survive temperatures above 4,600 degrees Fahrenheit.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To keep the round-trip crewed mission duration to about two years, NASA is looking at nuclear-enabled transportation systems to facilitate the shorter-stay class of missions, taking advantage of optimal planetary alignment for a low-energy transit for one leg of the trip, and using the new technology to make the higher-energy transit for the other leg.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>NASA is looking at two types of nuclear propulsion systems \u2013 thermal and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/glenn\/2020\/the-propulsion-we-re-supplying-it-s-electrifying\">electric<\/a> \u2013 for human missions to Mars, specifically for stays of up to 50 days in the vicinity of Mars (30 days on the surface) and an overall mission duration of no more than two years. To meet this mission duration, a nuclear electric system would need a large chemical stage to meet the overall thrust capability needed for a human Mars mission.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Partners:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>NASA\u2019s space nuclear propulsion project is led by the agency\u2019s Space Technology Mission Directorate and funded through its Technology Demonstration Missions program based at NASA\u2019s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The project, also at Marshall, collaborates with DOE to advance the key technologies needed for future human missions to Mars.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>DOE facilities supporting NASA\u2019s space nuclear propulsion project include Idaho National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Los Alamos National Laboratory.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In addition to Marshall, NASA centers supporting nuclear thermal propulsion activities include NASA\u2019s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland and NASA\u2019s Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nuclear thermal propulsion development is also supported by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Alabama Huntsville, Aerojet Rocketdyne, BWX Technologies, UltraSafe Nuclear Corporation, the Aerospace Corporation, Analytical Mechanics Associates, and Geocent.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Each supporting entity brings its own unique expertise and capabilities to contribute to the goal of realizing a high-performance fission-based propulsion system to enable extended human exploration of the solar system.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-topic-cards nasa-gb-align-full maxw-full width-full padding-y-6 padding-x-3 color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-topic-cards\">\t\t<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block-lg padding-x-0\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-center margin-bottom-3\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"desktop:grid-col-8 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-2\">Keep Exploring<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"heading-36 line-height-sm\">Discover More Topics From NASA<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-gap-2 hds-topic-cards-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/space-technology-mission-directorate\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Space Technology Mission Directorate<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"margin-bottom-0 margin-top-2 color-carbon-20-important\">Space Technology Mission Directorate. Technology drives exploration and the space economy.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"525\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/stmd.jpg?w=525\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" 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\/2022\/12\/stmd.jpg 525w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/stmd.jpg?resize=197,300 197w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/stmd.jpg?resize=263,400 263w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/stmd.jpg?resize=394,600 394w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/stmd-solicitations-and-opportunities\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>STMD Solicitations and Opportunities<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1161\" height=\"773\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/stmd-solicitations.jpg?w=1161\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" 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\/2015\/03\/stmd-solicitations.jpg 1161w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/stmd-solicitations.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/stmd-solicitations.jpg?resize=768,511 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/stmd-solicitations.jpg?resize=1024,682 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/stmd-solicitations.jpg?resize=400,266 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/stmd-solicitations.jpg?resize=600,399 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/stmd-solicitations.jpg?resize=900,599 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1161px) 100vw, 1161px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/technology\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Technology<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1017\" height=\"671\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/nasa_technology1.png?w=1017\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" 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\/2022\/12\/nasa_technology1.png 1017w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/nasa_technology1.png?resize=300,198 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/nasa_technology1.png?resize=768,507 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/nasa_technology1.png?resize=400,264 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/nasa_technology1.png?resize=600,396 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/nasa_technology1.png?resize=900,594 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1017px) 100vw, 1017px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/tdm\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Technology Demonstration Missions (TDM)<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/loftid-4_copy.jpg?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" 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\/2022\/05\/loftid-4_copy.jpg 4160w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/loftid-4_copy.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/loftid-4_copy.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/loftid-4_copy.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/loftid-4_copy.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/loftid-4_copy.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/loftid-4_copy.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/loftid-4_copy.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/loftid-4_copy.jpg?resize=900,600 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/loftid-4_copy.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/loftid-4_copy.jpg?resize=2000,1333 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Space nuclear propulsion is a technology that draws energy from fission instead of traditional chemical reactions, thus providing virtually unlimited energy density and opening the door for crewed missions to Mars and deep space science. NASA is looking at two types of nuclear propulsion systems \u2013 thermal and electric. Nuclear thermal propulsion provides high thrust [...]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":53387,"parent":165109,"menu_order":0,"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":"","hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_type":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_x":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_y":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_gallery_images":[]},"categories":[3335],"news-tags":[],"internal-terms":[],"coauthors":[8379],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"WebPage","headline":"Space Nuclear Propulsion","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/tdm\/space-nuclear-propulsion\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/tdm\/space-nuclear-propulsion\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/nuclear_thermal_propulsion-concept.jpeg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/nuclear_thermal_propulsion-concept.jpeg"},"articleSection":"NASA Directorates","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Beth Ridgeway"}],"creator":["Beth Ridgeway"],"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":"2023-05-08T20:34:18Z","datePublished":"2023-05-08T20:34:18Z","dateModified":"2024-02-06T15:03:41Z"},"rendered":"<meta name=\"parsely-title\" content=\"Space Nuclear Propulsion\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-link\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/tdm\/space-nuclear-propulsion\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-type\" content=\"index\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-image-url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/nuclear_thermal_propulsion-concept.jpeg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-pub-date\" content=\"2023-05-08T20:34:18Z\" \/>\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=\"Beth Ridgeway\" \/>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/nasa.gov\/p.js"},"read_time":4,"time_ago":"12 months","featured_image":{"id":53387,"file":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/nuclear_thermal_propulsion-concept.jpeg","title":"nuclear_thermal_propulsion-concept","alt":"Illustration of a conceptual spacecraft enabled by nuclear thermal propulsion.","caption":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic\/303177"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/topic"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/30"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic\/303177\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":608408,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic\/303177\/revisions\/608408"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic\/165109"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/53387"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=303177"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=303177"},{"taxonomy":"news-tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-tags?post=303177"},{"taxonomy":"internal-terms","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-terms?post=303177"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=303177"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}