The European Space Agency has commissioned a study on nuclear thermal propulsion to accelerate missions to the Moon and Mars. A consortium of French and European organizations, including CEA, ArianeGroup, and Framatome Space, conducted the study. The findings suggest that nuclear propulsion could be a game-changer for interplanetary travel.
Currently, chemical propulsion is used for space travel, but it results in long travel times due to the need for large amounts of propellant. In contrast, nuclear thermal propulsion uses nuclear fission reactions to heat a propellant, which can provide high thrust and faster travel times.
The study’s main advantage lies in its safety features. The nuclear core is not activated until the spacecraft is far from Earth and in a safe orbit, minimizing radiation exposure. During operation, a multi-layer radiation shield protects the crew and spacecraft from harmful radiation.
Researchers have developed new ceramic-metal core designs with improved thrust-to-weight ratios while maintaining efficiency. However, further testing is necessary to overcome challenges such as sourcing and creating fuel, as well as building facilities for extensive testing.
The study identified hydrogen as the ideal propellant for nuclear thermal engines due to its maximum efficiency. Other options like ammonia may offer advantages in certain mission scenarios. The consortium concluded that the project is feasible in the long term, can be safely operated, and offers significant performance gains, but also identifies challenges for further development.
Source: https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Transportation/Future_space_transportation/Nuclear_rocket_engine_for_Moon_and_Mars