“With this technology, astronauts could travel to and from space faster than ever before — a significant capability in preparation for manned (human) missions to Mars,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.
The first test in four years
“The ability to make leaps and bounds in space technology through the DRACO nuclear rocket program will be critical to more efficiently and quickly transporting materials to the Moon and eventually people to Mars,” asserted DARPA Director Stefanie Tompkins.
DRACO stands for Demonstration Rocket for Agile Operations Beyond the Moon. According to WE and the British newspaper The Guardian, the Americans want to develop a nuclear thermal missile. In it, the heat obtained from a nuclear reaction is used to heat liquid hydrogen to a high temperature. The hydrogen then rapidly expands out through the rocket nozzle, creating the thrust needed for such a long flight.
| A pilgrimage of seven months |
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| It is estimated that nuclear thermal rockets could be three to four times more powerful than existing chemical propulsion devices. |
| Using current technology, a trip to Mars would take about seven months, according to NASA. |
| However, the US agency did not provide data on how a nuclear missile would accelerate the journey. |
As part of the joint project, NASA is to develop the rocket engine, and DARPA will be in charge of developing the spacecraft. The first tests with the new machine are planned for 2027.
Nuclear-powered rockets should not only significantly reduce the time needed to transport astronauts to Mars. They should also be able to carry more payloads, especially better communications and instrumentation.
“Decreasing flight time is a key element for human missions to Mars, as longer journeys require more supplies and more robust systems. The use of a nuclear-powered rocket makes it possible to shorten the flight time and reduce the risk to astronauts,” according to NASA’s The Guardian newspaper.
The probe revealed hundreds of Martian earthquakes on the red planet
Science and schools
