NASA Announces Plans For Nuclear-Powered Rocket With In-Space Tests As Soon As 2027 – SlashGear

On January 25, 2023, NASA announced the initiation of a collaboration with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to develop an engine that will power the nuclear thermal rockets designed for future NASA missions. The primary drive behind switching to a nuclear thermal rocket is its supposed advantage over traditional rockets regarding overall speed. According to NASA, Nuclear Thermal Rockets are typically faster than chemical rockets and will enable it to achieve shorter transit times for future manned interplanetary missions. NASA also believes that Nuclear Thermal Rockets have the potential to be more efficient and safer than existing chemical-based rockets.

NASA and DARPA have set ambitious timelines for developing the new engine. In the press release announcing the developments, NASA confirmed that it intends to “develop and demonstrate advanced nuclear thermal propulsion technology as soon as 2027.” Note that it would take several more years before these engines are tested comprehensively enough to be used on a new rocket. According to NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, the new technology will help astronauts travel to and from deep space faster than ever.

Interestingly, this is not the first time that NASA has worked on nuclear thermal rocket engines. The last time NASA tested an engine of this type was more than 50 years under the agency’s Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Application and Rover projects. However, these projects were shut down as NASA concentrated its resources on developing other important spacecraft, including the Space Shuttles.