Nuclear Thermal & Electric Propulsion
High-efficiency engines using nuclear reactors for deep space missions.
Nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) heats propellant via a reactor, doubling the efficiency of chemical rockets. Nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) powers ion thrusters for ultra-long-duration cargo hauls. Both drastically reduce travel times and enable crewed missions to Mars and outer planets.
TRL
5/9Validated
Impact
5/5
Investment
5/5
Category
Hardware