The goal of a project involving nuclear thermal flight is to send astronauts to the area between the moon and Earth. DARPA is soliciting proposals to develop and construct the engine, with the hope of utilizing nuclear thermal propulsion for more effective space travel. This technology may also be applicable for extended space missions in the future, such as journeys to Mars.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) of the Pentagon is requesting proposals for a nuclear-powered rocket, as announced on their website (https://www.darpa.mil/). This new spacecraft technology would require less propellant and have the ability to travel further compared to current chemical rocket systems. The project, called Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO), aims to achieve agile maneuvers in space, a crucial aspect for future space operations, as stated by DARPA in a recent news release (https://www.darpa.mil/news-events/2021-04-12). In the event of a war, agile maneuvering will be necessary to evade potential threats from hostile spacecraft, according to an article from Popular Mechanics (https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/research/a36110192/pentagon-nuclear-thermal-propulsion-rocket-plans/).
🚀 To obtain extensive space coverage, you can now have unrestricted entry to Pop Mech Pro — effective immediately.
The U.S. Department of Defense’s research and development arm, DARPA, has announced plans to conduct a flight demonstration of nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) in 2026, which would enable a spacecraft to reach Earth’s orbit. This technology could potentially also be utilized for travel through cislunar space, the region between Earth and the moon. According to the Office of Nuclear Energy, this same technology may eventually be used for long-term space missions, such as a journey to Mars.
NTP is not capable of launching spacecraft from Earth, as it is not designed for the immense thrust required to combat Earth’s gravitational pull. This is due to the fact that NTP works by circulating propellant through a reactor core and expelling it through a nozzle to create thrust. Instead, after a spacecraft reaches orbit using traditional chemical rocket propulsion, it can activate the NTP rockets on board.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has announced an open competition in order to ensure that the project is not restricted to the currently involved companies. Detailed proposals are being sought by the agency that outline the engineering process for the design, development, fabrication, and assembly of the engine. Submissions must be submitted by August 5th.
Since the 1960s, researchers have been studying nuclear thermal propulsion. During the period when the Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Application program was in operation, scientists from Los Alamos National Laboratory were involved in the development and experimentation of nuclear-powered rockets.
The potential success of the DRACO program could lead to the development of advanced nuclear rockets that will enable faster travel through space. These rockets may also facilitate easier access to Mars.
Advantages of Nuclear Rockets Over Chemical Rockets
Nuclear thermal propulsion involves utilizing a reactor core to heat a liquid propellant, such as hydrogen, which then converts into a gas due to the process of fission, releasing heat. This is similar to the mechanism of other rockets, where gas propellant expands and propels the aircraft through a nozzle.
According to the article “6 Things You Should Know About Nuclear Thermal Propulsion,” NTP systems function differently than chemical propulsion systems. While chemical rockets produce water vapor as a byproduct, NTP systems utilize lighter hydrogen byproduct, resulting in a more efficient use of fuel and greater distance traveled. The amount of thrust produced by a chemical rocket using a specific amount of liquid hydrogen and oxygen is 450 seconds, which is only half of the expected minimum thrust of 900 seconds for nuclear-powered rockets.