ScienceQuiet 70d · day 76
NASA engineers sketch bimodal nuclear engine to halve Mars trip time
A concept combining nuclear thermal and electric propulsion could cut interplanetary travel duration and reduce radiation exposure for astronauts.
What to know
- A bimodal nuclear engine design merges nuclear thermal and electric propulsion to potentially cut Mars mission duration in half and reduce radiation exposure.
- The concept combines relatively mature technologies in a novel way; the engineering challenge lies in integration rather than inventing new capabilities.
- The design remains at early planning stages and is being published for peer and community feedback and refinement.
Kurt Polzin Chief engineer, NASA space nuclear propulsion projectRobert Schleicher Engineer, General Atomics Electromagnetic SystemsStephen Cass IEEE Spectrum Special Projects Editor and spaceflight expert
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