Will a nuclear-powered rocket cut travel time to Mars by half?

Will a nuclear-powered rocket cut travel time to Mars by half?

Subject :Science and technology

Section: Space technology

Context:

NASA and DARPA selected Lockheed Martin to design, build, and test a propulsion system for speeding astronauts to Mars.

What is the purpose of the DRACO program announced by NASA and DARPA?

• The purpose of the DRACO (Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations) program is to design, build, and test a propulsion system that could speed up astronauts’ trips to Mars.
• It aims to develop Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) technology for space exploration.
• The program intends to reduce the travel time to Mars significantly.

How long does it currently take to travel to Mars using conventional rocket engines?

• The travel time using conventional rocket engines takes seven to nine months.
• This duration is due to the relatively long distance between Earth and Mars.
• The launch window for shorter journeys between the planets occurs every 26 months.

How could nuclear-powered propulsion reduce travel time?

• Nuclear reactions, specifically Nuclear Fission, provide more energy for continuous acceleration.
• A spacecraft could continue accelerating through the first half of the journey and then slow down again.
• This continuous acceleration and deceleration could potentially cut the travel time significantly.

What is the role of the nuclear reactor in the DRACO engine?

• It heats hydrogen to extremely high temperatures, reaching up to 4,400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• The hot gas produced by the nuclear reactor is expelled through a nozzle to generate thrust, propelling the spacecraft forward.

What other applications does DARPA envision for nuclear propulsion technology?

• Nuclear-powered propulsion could enhance the maneuverability and responsiveness of military satellites, providing strategic advantages in space operations.

What were the historical efforts related to nuclear propulsion for space exploration?

• In the 1950s and 1960s, projects like Project Orion and Project Rover explored the concept of using atomic bomb explosions and Nuclear Thermal Engines (NTE) for spacecraft acceleration.
• Efforts were made to develop nuclear reactors for space probes destined for destinations like Jupiter, Saturn, and beyond, as well as to provide power at lunar bases.

How does the use of uranium differ between NERVA and DRACO?

• NERVA (Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Application) used weapons-grade uranium for its reactors.
• In contrast, DRACO will use a less-enriched form of uranium to ensure safety and minimize the risk of radioactive accidents.

What precautions are taken to ensure safety?

• The reactor in the engine will not be activated until the spacecraft reaches space, reducing the possibility of a radioactive accident on Earth during launch.

What is the timeline and intended orbit for testing the nuclear-thermal engine?

• The launch of the test flight is currently scheduled for late 2025 or early 2026.
• The demonstration spacecraft will likely orbit at an altitude between 435 and 1,240 miles.
  • This ensures that the spacecraft remains in space for over 300 years, allowing radioactive elements in the reactor fuel to decay to safe levels.

Another partner building the rocket: BWX Technologies, based in Lynchburg, Virginia, will build the nuclear fission reactor at the heart of the engine.