// PROPULSION SYSTEMS AND ENGINE TECHNOLOGY TERM
Nuclear Electric Propulsion
Nuclear Electric Propulsion uses a small nuclear reactor to generate a large amount of electricity onboard a spacecraft. This electricity then powers highly efficient electric thrusters to propel the vehicle on long-duration, deep-space missions.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP) is a spacecraft propulsion system integrating a nuclear fission reactor with a power conversion system (e.g., Brayton or Stirling cycles) to generate multi-kilowatt to megawatt levels of electricity. This power drives high specific impulse (Isp) electric thrusters, such as ion or Hall-effect thrusters, enabling high delta-V maneuvers for deep-space exploration, cargo transport, and outer planet missions.
BACKGROUND
Nuclear pulse propulsion or external pulsed plasma propulsion is a hypothetical method of spacecraft propulsion that uses nuclear explosions for thrust. It originated as Project Orion with support from DARPA, after a suggestion by Stanisław Ulam in 1947. Newer designs using inertial confinement fusion have been the baseline for most later designs, including Project Daedalus and Project Longshot.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- NEP
- Fission Electric Propulsion
- Reactor-powered Electric Propulsion
- Nuclear-powered Ion Drive
- Fission Power and Propulsion
USAGE NOTE
NEP is primarily conceptualized for future, ambitious missions where both high fuel efficiency and significant onboard power are required over many years.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Nuclear Electric Propulsion.
A major NASA center leading research into advanced space power and propulsion systems. They conduct extensive research on high-power solar electric propulsion and nuclear electric propulsion technologies, including fission power systems and advanced thrusters for deep-space missions.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is funding programs to advance space propulsion. While their DRACO program focuses on Nuclear Thermal Propulsion, the agency's broader interest in cislunar and deep space operations drives investment in high-power systems and technologies essential for future Nuclear Electric Propulsion capabilities.
A leading manufacturer of rocket and electric propulsion systems. They develop high-power Hall thrusters, such as the Advanced Electric Propulsion System (AEPS), which are designed to be integrated with solar or nuclear power sources for missions like the Lunar Gateway and future NEP applications.
A company specializing in the design and manufacture of nuclear components and fuel. BWXT is a key developer of compact, space-rated nuclear reactors and advanced nuclear fuels suitable for providing the high levels of power required for nuclear electric and thermal propulsion systems.
A global aerospace and defense company acting as a prime contractor for integrating complex space systems. They are leading the integration of the DRACO demonstration spacecraft and have extensive experience with electric propulsion on satellites, making them a key player in maturing operational nuclear propulsion systems.
USNC develops advanced nuclear technologies, including micro modular reactors and proprietary Fully Ceramic Micro-encapsulated (FCM) fuel. Their space division is actively developing nuclear power and propulsion systems for NASA and the DoD, with their reactor concepts being a key enabling technology for NEP.
A research and development corporation with a long history in nuclear systems. General Atomics is involved in designing and developing space-based nuclear fission power systems and reactors capable of supporting high-power applications like Nuclear Electric Propulsion for national security and exploration missions.
Developer of the Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket (VASIMR), a high-power electric plasma propulsion engine. While the thruster is agnostic to its power source, its high-power requirements make a nuclear reactor the most viable option for deep space missions, directly linking their work to the 'electric propulsion' component of NEP.