What is nuclear electric propulsion and how is it different from radioisotope thermoelectric generators?
This week, NASA administrator Jared Isaacman announced the agency will be developing the "first nuclear powered interplanetary spacecraft" ahead of a planned 2028 launch to Mars.
The ambition of the mission, known as Space Reactor-1 (SR1) Freedom, goes far beyond its proposed mission of reaching Mars. If it is successful, it will be the culmination of over 60 years of experiments and failed projects in nuclear propulsion, and it could potentially transform interplanetary space travel.
