// PROPULSION SYSTEMS AND ENGINE TECHNOLOGY TERM
Nuclear Thermal Propulsion
Nuclear Thermal Propulsion is a type of rocket engine that uses heat from a nuclear reactor to superheat a propellant, usually liquid hydrogen. This hot gas is then shot out of a nozzle to create powerful and highly efficient thrust, making it much faster than traditional chemical rockets.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) is an advanced spacecraft propulsion system where a nuclear fission reactor directly heats a low-molecular-weight propellant, typically liquid hydrogen (LH2), to extreme temperatures. The resulting high-energy gas is expanded through a nozzle to generate high thrust and a high specific impulse (Isp) of 900 seconds or more, enabling faster transit times for crewed deep-space missions to destinations like Mars.
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
- NTP
- nuclear rocket
- fission thermal rocket
- solid-core nuclear rocket
- NERVA-type engine
- nuclear thermal rocket
USAGE NOTE
NTP is primarily discussed for ambitious crewed deep-space missions where its high efficiency can significantly reduce travel time and radiation exposure for astronauts.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Nuclear Thermal Propulsion.
The U.S. space agency is co-leading the DRACO (Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations) program with DARPA to test a nuclear thermal rocket engine in space by 2027.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is partnering with NASA on the DRACO program to develop and demonstrate a nuclear thermal propulsion system for rapid maneuverability in cislunar space.
This aerospace and defense prime contractor was selected by NASA and DARPA to design, build, and test the spacecraft for the DRACO nuclear thermal rocket demonstration.
A nuclear components and fuel supplier, BWXT is under contract to design and build the nuclear reactor and manufacture the HALEU fuel for the DRACO program's engine.
A rocket engine manufacturer (part of L3Harris) with a long history in NTP research dating back to the NERVA program. They continue to develop NTP engine concepts and components under various government contracts.
A developer of advanced nuclear systems, USNC is working on new fuel and reactor concepts specifically for nuclear thermal propulsion, focusing on their Fully Ceramic Microencapsulated (FCM) fuel technology.
A technology company with deep expertise in nuclear systems. General Atomics has been awarded NASA and DARPA contracts to mature designs for nuclear thermal propulsion reactors.
An advanced nuclear reactor and fuel company that has been contracted by the Department of Energy and NASA to conduct studies and develop concepts for applying its TRISO-X fuel and reactor technologies to NTP systems.