A nuclear thermal rocket (NTR) is a type of thermal rocket where the heat from a nuclear reaction replaces the chemical energy of the propellants in a chemical rocket.

Jul 18, 2025 · The nuclear rocket would use fission to heat liquid-hydrogen and expel it as thrust at rates that would supersede those of chemical rockets. In 1959, NASA replaced the Air Force in this role, …

Aug 15, 2025 · Scientists and engineers are working on nuclear thermal propulsion systems that would take hydrogen propellant, pump it into a nuclear reactor to generate energy and expel propellant out …

Jul 23, 2025 · Nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) systems aren’t new, but they could significantly reduce travel times and carry greater payloads than today’s top chemical rockets­ — expanding humanity’s …

Feb 9, 2025 · General Atomics and NASA achieved an important milestone on the road to using nuclear-powered rockets by testing a new fuel and finding it can withstand extreme conditions.

Researchers have reported new progress in developing a liquid uranium-fueled rocket engine, a Centrifugal Nuclear...

May 27, 2025 · Fraser discusses the DRACO project, which hopes to test a nuclear rocket by 2027.

Nuclear-powered rockets are not used to lift off the Earth. Nuclear thermal rockets can provide great performance advantages compared to chemical propulsion systems.

May 22, 2025 · Space Nuclear Propulsion (SNP) is one technology that can provide high thrust and double the propellant efficiency of chemical rockets, making it a viable option for crewed missions to …

Jun 1, 2024 · This paper describes the current research and development efforts currently underway within the United States on Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP), wit…