Researchers eye space nuclear thermal propulsion for space maneuver warfare and to cut transit time to Mars
ARLINGTON, Va. – U.S. military researchers are surveying industry for companies able to design space-qualified nuclear thermal rocket propulsion engines for future military and commercial space applications.
Officials of the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in Arlington, Va., issued a request for information (DARPA-SN-25-21) on Friday for the Nuclear Thermal Rocket Propulsion project.
Nuclear thermal propulsion
Nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) is a fission-powered system that uses a reactor to heat a liquid propellant into a gas, which shoots through a nozzle to propel a spacecraft. This approach reportedly is twice as efficient than chemical rockets, which can free space and weight for more payload and supplies.
Nuclear thermal propulsion, moreover, is expected to reduce the time it takes to reach Mars by as much as 25 percent, which could speed space exploration and limit crew exposure to cosmic radiation.
The project seeks information and industry expertise in space-qualified nuclear thermal rocket propulsion engine design; development, modeling, and simulation; engine integration; autonomous engine and reactor control; engine instrumentation; and engine system integration.
The dramatic improvement in propulsion efficiency offered by nuclear thermal propulsion potentially enables development of a true space logistics network, researchers say.
Space maneuver warfare
For the military, nuclear thermal propulsion holds the potential to enable combat forces no longer to be static and predictable, and achieve space maneuver -- particularly in the face of an adversary -- to maintain initiative, achieve surprise, and outmaneuver an adversary in space.
For commercial space, nuclear thermal propulsion may help transport astronauts safely to and from Mars, substantially reduce trip time, and reduce the risks of space radiation and other aspects of long-duration space missions.
For deep-space missions, nuclear thermal propulsion could cut years off transit times for planetary exploration, and widen launch windows based on orbital alignment.
Nuclear thermal propulsion conceptually is similar to chemical propulsion; it replaces the combustion chamber with a nuclear reactor to heat propellant and accelerate it out a nozzle to generate thrust.
NASA collaboration
Separately, DARPA researchers are working together with the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in Washington to develop nuclear thermal propulsion as part of the Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO) program, in which Lockheed Martin Corp. will demonstrate this technology as early as 2027.
The DRACO demonstration will use pressure-fed gaseous helium as a propellant to reduce system complexity; however, the DRACO reactor is designed for operation with liquid hydrogen propellant to allow extensibility to future operational systems. Industry responses to this request for information by help inform and explore future programs that involve nuclear thermal propulsion.
DARPA is interested in industry's ideas on nuclear thermal rocket engine design; modeling autonomous engine and reactor control engine instrumentation; nuclear and launch safety; engineering and system integration; and space qualification testing.
Companies interested should email responses in Microsoft Word or .pdf format no later than 20 Jan. 2025 to [email protected]. Email questions or concerns to [email protected]. More information is online at https://sam.gov/opp/c3e7831fb2ca46c49363ec10994bfaf6/view.
John Keller | Editor-in-Chief
John Keller is the Editor-in-Chief, Military & Aerospace Electronics Magazine--provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronics and optoelectronic technologies in military, space and commercial aviation applications. John has been a member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since 1989 and chief editor since 1995.
