NTP systems can achieve approximately twice the specific impulse of chemical rockets, allowing for more efficient propellant use and faster acceleration.

As NASA plans crewed missions to Mars within the next decade, the need for faster propulsion technologies like NTP becomes increasingly critical to reduce the lengthy journey times.

NASA's DRACO program, in collaboration with Lockheed Martin and BWX Technologies, plans to utilize HALEU fuel in its NTP engine, with a launch scheduled for 2027.

This initiative is part of a broader collaboration between NASA and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), aiming to demonstrate a prototype NTP system in space by 2027.

Unlike conventional chemical rockets that rely on chemical reactions and carry their oxidizers, NTP systems use fission reactions to create high thrust and specific impulse.

Current research is focused on developing high-assay, low-enriched uranium (HALEU) fuel, which is safer than highly enriched uranium but requires heavier engines for comparable thrust.

While HALEU fuel is safer, it necessitates more fuel to achieve similar thrust levels, resulting in heavier engines.

NASA is exploring nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) as a faster alternative to traditional chemical rockets, which are primarily responsible for long transit times to destinations like Mars.

NTP utilizes nuclear fission to heat propellant, potentially reducing travel time to Mars by half compared to conventional methods.

The U.S. has a long history of investing in NTP research, having tested 20 engines between the 1950s and 1973, although earlier designs relied on highly enriched uranium, raising proliferation concerns.

Ongoing research includes developing computational tools for modeling and simulating NTP systems, which is crucial for optimizing designs and ensuring efficient operation.

In addition to enhancing space exploration, nuclear propulsion systems may improve defense capabilities by powering maneuverable platforms to protect satellites beyond Earth's orbit.