NASA has identified solid core nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) as an advanced propulsion concept which could provide the fastest trip times with fewer SLS launches than any other propulsion concept for human missions to Mars over variety of missions in years. The current NASA strategic space technology investment plan states NTP is a high-priority technology needed for future human exploration of Mars. The success of NTP development is dependent upon the establishment of safe environmentally acceptable test facilities and operations. The test infrastructure must include the capability to produce extended duration flows of non-nuclear hot hydrogen. Our proposed project addresses this need.
The NASA development of safe NTP space transportation systems could lead to a variety of applications. Included may be commercial ventures to Mars and other extraterrestrial bodies for resource recovery and other opportunities. In addition, the military may very well be interested in the robust performance capabilities of NTP. Also, the ability to produce extended duration hot gas flows will provide a very valuable test capability for a wide variety of industrial applications such as testing of high temperature materials/components for gas turbines and even for nuclear power generation plants.
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