The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa) has signed a contractwith General
The Draco project was created in 2020.Its purpose is to demonstrate nuclear thermal propulsion. We are talking about using a nuclear reactor to heat rocket fuel in order to create that same thrust. A year ago, the Darpa Tactical Technology Directorate announced its intention to test a nuclear thermal propulsion system in lunar orbit by 2025. A nuclear missile could launch in as little as four years. Recall that the lunar orbit refers to the space between the Earth and its satellite.
Space systems now depend onelectric and chemical engines. However, Darpa experts are confident that other options are needed for future research beyond Earth's orbit. A project presented a year ago notes that Draco's program aims to develop new nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) technology. According to the department, it "can provide a high specific thrust, similar to a chemical propulsion system, but with an efficiency up to five times higher." Darpa noted that observing the lunar space will require "a breakthrough in propulsion technology."
Draco will try to demonstrateNTP system in orbit. How it works? A nuclear reactor heats fuel to extreme temperatures before ejecting the hot mass through a nozzle to create thrust.
NTP is “a step forward from conventionalpropulsion systems and will enable spacecraft to quickly cover vast distances, ”said Christina Beck, vice president of nuclear technology and materials for General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems. She told SpaceNews that "maneuverable spacecraft are critical to maintaining space awareness and significantly reducing travel times in the vast circumlunar region." For human missions to Mars, "the nuclear propulsion system will provide flexible launch windows and allow for longer stay on the planet itself."
NASA is also exploring NTP capabilities.In a February statement, the agency said: “While NASA's Perseverance rover is on the Red Planet, ground engineers are developing potential propulsion technologies for the first manned flights to Mars. NASA is considering two types of nuclear power plants - electrical and thermal. " The agency stressed that the NTP technology "provides high thrust and twice the fuel efficiency than chemical missiles."
NASA in collaboration with the Department of Energy(DOE) is asking industry for preliminary design concepts for a nuclear thermal propulsion reactor. “The agencies are planning to fund several attempts to explore different approaches. In future subsequent contracts, more detailed reactor designs and pre-test equipment will be built, ”NASA said.
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