A new fuel for nuclear thermal rocket engines (NTP) was successfully tested by General Atomics and NASA earlier this month at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama, marking a significant step towards the development of NTP-powered rockets that could revolutionize human missions to the Moon and Mars.
The fuel, which is designed to withstand the extreme conditions of space, was subjected to a series of thermal cycles using hot hydrogen to rapidly increase its temperature to 2600 Kelvin (nearly 2327 Celsius). This test demonstrated the fuel's ability to withstand the harsh environment of space and its potential for use in future NTP-powered spacecraft.
"We are very encouraged by the positive test results, which show that this fuel is resilient to operating conditions and brings us closer to our goal of developing a safe and reliable nuclear thermal propulsion system for future space missions to the Moon and beyond," said Scott Forney, president of General Atomics.
The development of NTP technology is considered crucial for enabling faster and more efficient missions to the Moon and Mars. NTP engines are expected to be significantly more efficient than current chemical rockets, allowing for shorter travel times and reducing the risks associated with long-duration spaceflight.
NASA and DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) announced in 2023 that they are working on a nuclear thermal rocket engine for a potential human mission to Mars. A first demonstration of this technology is expected no earlier than 2027.