NASA should go all-in on nuclear propulsion
a day ago
- #Nuclear Propulsion
- #Space Exploration
- #NASA
- NASA tested nuclear rockets in the 1960s for missions to Mars and beyond, with successful results.
- The NERVA program was canceled in 1973 due to shifting political priorities and budget cuts.
- Nuclear propulsion offers two main types: nuclear thermal rockets and nuclear electric propulsion (NEP), both more efficient than chemical rockets.
- NEP could enable longer missions, more scientific data collection, and reduced reliance on gravity assists.
- Jared Isaacman and Newt Gingrich advocate for NASA to prioritize nuclear propulsion over the costly Space Launch System (SLS).
- Nuclear propulsion could open up the Solar System for exploration and commercial ventures like asteroid mining.
- There are concerns about China overtaking U.S. leadership in space, emphasizing the need for innovation.
- Isaacman suggests NASA should focus on 'near-impossible' missions to inspire and lead globally.