Using Nuclear Propulsion for Deep Space Exploration

Today’s advances in materials, testing capabilities, and reactor development are providing impetus for NASA to appraise Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) as an attractive 21st century option to propel human exploration missions to Mars and other deep space destinations.

NASA along with private companies are working on the technology that could cut mission time to Mars in half, leaving astronauts less exposed to the hazards of space including the impact on the human body of exposure to microgravity. First generation NTP systems could cut total mission duration in half, while still leaving adequate time for Mars surface exploration.

With NTP, missions to Mars could be achieved at times when Earth and the Red Planet are in less favorable orbital positions relative to each other.

Please Join Tony Darnell as he talks with Dr. Jonathan Witter (Chief NTP Engineer BWX Technologies), Michael Houts (Marshall Space Flight Center), and John Horack (Ohio State University) as we discuss the exciting development of nuclear technologies to propel us to the solar system!

Early Concept video on Nuclear Thermal Propulsion from 1960's:

NASA Video on NTP:

NASA Article on NTP:

BWX Tech NTP Page:

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[isaacberryXERXEESE]

Yes Thank God For You And Solar Wind. Finally Someone Is Aware!!!

[craggyham]

Really enjoyed today's show, great to hear about the advancements being made

[stupidburp]

In my view, high assay low enriched uranium based reactors would probably be the best compromise. HALEU reactors use uranium fuel enriched to about 15-19%, just below the internationally agreed limit to be considered low enrichment. This is quite a bit higher enrichment than most commerical reactors, around the same as many research reactors, and much less than weapons grade enrichment used in some specialized military reactors. When combined with ion drive thrusters for cruising, this is an achievable near future propulsion system to explore the inner planets and their moons. Radiation exposure and long term zero g limits to crew health would still probably prohibit safe travel to the outer planets unless there are sufficient advancements in mitigation measures.

[raghu]

Things are happening & we are getting there! I mean these guys are engineers / scientists and not politicians / bureaucrats so what they say possible is truly possible! 😁

[TheDanEdwards]

As with all other highly technical subjects, this one will be greatly misunderstood by the public.

[MadPirateShin]

Since I have more interest in ships than telescopes, I really appreciate today's topic!

[GSF]

I can't believe someone asked how flammable a hydrogen tank is, in space. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[Rod_Knee]

NERVA or it's modern equivalent - crippled by low enrichment of Uranium - has better ISP than chemical rockets, but is horrible compared to ion propulsion i.e. VASIMR. If you're going to put a reactor into space, VASIMR or similar systems would seem to be a better bet.

[gkirmathal]

The question that has came to mind watching this podcast is regarding different "propellant/coolant options" other then H2 for different solar system destinations.
It is mentioned the focus lies on lqd H2 for NTR systems, due to it's lowest mol weight and thus is the most efficient. Any liquid could be used as propellant in NTR propulsion systems.

What is the current stance on 'hybrid propellant' NTR's and is there research being done into this specific sub-subject with current NTR development?



Russia in the past (70ties) has experimented with Ammonia as coolant for their NTR project. We know the gas giants have ammonia in them, some asteroids as well and Titan has an abundance of Methane.
The latter gives lower isp (650-ish region) vs H2, but for a Titan mission return trip this would in my view be the most logical propellant choice.
If there is a followup on this podcast I am really interested how the guests view this.



Btw a very good source of info regarding current, near and future propulsion (and much more) is ProjectTRHO. The author really goes into great detail regarding in his publications. Worth a visit IMO.

[joseorta]

I think it a go idea to make the nuclear space ship on the moon