Positron Dynamics to develop uranium-fuelled airgel nuclear rocket engine for NASA

Positron Dynamics has received a grant to develop a new type of nuclear rocket engine. Customer

is the National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA).

What is known

NASA's Institute for Advanced Concepts (NIAS) wants to develop a fission fragment engine (FFRE). Positron Dynamics plans to use lightweight airgel interspersed with uranium.

FFRE motors operate on the principlenuclear power plant reactors. However, the fission products are directed in a strictly specified direction, which makes it possible to create thrust and at the same time protect the engine itself and the ship from destruction.

Positron Dynamics should solve the problemfacilitating fuel assemblies. She promises to do this by wrapping uranium in airgel. The second problem is to ensure the confinement of the plasma. In this case, the company is preparing to use superconducting magnets.