The Nuclear Technology and Demo program conducts advanced research in
the areas of electric propulsion, power conversion, nuclear thermal
rockets, and surface power. The Advanced Systems & Technology group is working on performance goals that exceed the current Prometheus
requirements to enable missions beyond and into the natural laboratories
of the Solar System.
Nuclear Electric Propulsion: The high specific impulse of electric propulsion
means going farther with less propellant mass. Advanced electric propulsion
technologies...
Dynamic Power Conversion: Brayton, Stirling, and Potassium Rankine cycles offer
high conversion efficiencies that deliver more electric power and
less waste...
Nuclear Thermal Propulsion: The combination of high thrust and specific impulse
(twice that of chemical rockets) makes NTP hard to beat for short
transit time cargo and...
Surface Power: Nuclear power technology, both fission and radioisotope heat
sources, are enabling systems for lunar and Mars missions. These systems
offer virtually...
Foundation Technologies and Engineering Capabilities: The capabilities to bring
the above technologies to a state of readiness depend on other capabilities
that... |
