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NASA Successfully Tests Nuclear Fuel for Faster Mars Missions


Published on 2025-02-08 12:22:33 - MSN
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  • NASA and its partners have successfully tested a nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) fuel that could revolutionize deep-space travel. This breakthrough brings the dream of reaching Mars in just 45 days
  • instead of the traditional seven-month journey
  • one step closer to reality.

NASA, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy, has successfully tested a new nuclear fuel designed to power spacecraft for faster missions to Mars. This innovative fuel, part of the Demonstration for Rocket to Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO) program, utilizes High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) in a nuclear thermal propulsion system. The test, conducted at the Marshall Space Flight Center, involved heating the fuel to extreme temperatures to simulate the conditions it would face in space. This technology promises to significantly reduce travel time to Mars, potentially cutting the journey from months to weeks, by providing a more efficient propulsion method than traditional chemical rockets. The successful test marks a critical step towards operational nuclear thermal propulsion, enhancing the feasibility of human exploration of Mars and beyond.

Read the Full MSN Article at:
[ https://www.msn.com/en-us/science/aeronautics/nasa-successfully-tests-nuclear-fuel-for-faster-mars-missions/ar-AA1yyiqi ]