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Winzer
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Is there any research being done for: using nuclear power for space propulsion?
In short yes, but the funding is very limited, and NASA and others have other priorities.Winzer said:Is there any research being done for: using nuclear power for space propulsion?
Those are interesting, but the thrust is small compared to a chemical engine, or maybe for our theoretical nuclear engine.russ_watters said:The simplest form of nuclear propulsion to develop would be a nuclear powered ion drive. Ion drives work and just need electricity, so I'm not sure there would be that steep of a curve to develop one...there'd just have to be a need.
Ion drives also need a bottle (or many bottles) of xenon gas or other high mass ion for consumption as the propellant. To understand the advantage of ion mass,russ_watters said:The simplest form of nuclear propulsion to develop would be a nuclear powered ion drive. Ion drives work and just need electricity, so I'm not sure there would be that steep of a curve to develop one...there'd just have to be a need.
Nuclear propulsion is a form of rocket propulsion that uses nuclear energy to generate thrust, allowing spacecraft to travel at high speeds and cover long distances in space.
Nuclear propulsion works by utilizing the energy released from nuclear reactions to heat a propellant, such as liquid hydrogen, which is then expelled through a nozzle to create thrust. This process is known as nuclear thermal propulsion.
The main advantage of nuclear propulsion is its high specific impulse, which is a measure of how efficiently a rocket uses fuel. Nuclear propulsion has a much higher specific impulse compared to traditional chemical rockets, allowing for faster and more efficient space travel.
While there are some safety concerns with nuclear propulsion, such as the potential for radioactive materials to be released in the event of an accident, extensive safety measures are in place to minimize these risks. Additionally, nuclear propulsion is only used for space travel and not for launching rockets from Earth.
Currently, nuclear propulsion is not being used for space travel, but it has been successfully tested in the past. NASA is currently researching and developing new nuclear propulsion technologies for potential use in future space missions.