358-Can Nuclear Propulsion Take Us to Mars?

Illustration of a Mars transit habitat and nuclear propulsion system that could one day take astronauts to Mars. Credits: NASA.

Can Nuclear Propulsion Take Us to Mars?

Illustration of a spacecraft with a nuclear-enabled propulsion system. Credits: NASA

The Nuclear Thermal Rocket Element Environmental Simulator at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, tests nuclear rocket fuel prototypes using non-nuclear heating instead of fission. Credits: NASA/Mick Speer