NASA and DARPA develop nuclear rockets to cut Mars travel time in half

NASA and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) are developing nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) technology to reduce travel time to Mars. This new approach could cut the journey in half compared to traditional chemical rockets, which take several months to years. NTP uses nuclear fission to heat hydrogen propellant, allowing for faster acceleration and greater efficiency. Unlike older designs that relied on highly enriched uranium, the current focus is on high-assay, low-enriched uranium fuel, which is safer but requires more fuel. A prototype NTP system is set to be launched in 2027 as part of DARPA's Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations program. Ongoing research includes modeling and simulations to ensure the engine meets performance and safety standards for future missions.