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NASA and DARPA Partner to Fund Revolutionary DRACO Nuclear Thermal Rocket Engine

NASA and DARPA have announced their partnership on funding the revolutionary DRACO nuclear thermal rocket engine project which promises unprecedented levels of power and efficiency for interplanetary missions while also offering potential applications beyond space exploration such as powering satellites or launching payloads into orbit around Earth or other planets

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Jan. 31, 2023 4:40AM

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A rocket blasting off against a starry night sky with a glowing blue light emanating from its exhaust port representing the DRACO nuclear thermal rocket engine's powerful energy output

A rocket blasting off against a starry night sky with a glowing blue light emanating from its exhaust port representing the DRACO nuclear thermal rocket engine's powerful energy output

NASA and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) have announced a new partnership to fund the development of a revolutionary nuclear thermal rocket engine, known as DRACO. The project is expected to revolutionize space exploration, providing an unprecedented level of power and efficiency for interplanetary missions. The DRACO engine is based on nuclear fission technology, which uses heat generated by splitting atoms to produce thrust. This method of propulsion has been theorized since the 1950s but has never been successfully implemented in a spacecraft due to technological limitations. However, recent advances in materials science have enabled engineers to create engines that are capable of harnessing this powerful energy source. The engine will be powered by enriched uranium-235 fuel rods that are encased in a protective shell made from advanced alloys. This will enable the spacecraft to travel at speeds up to 10 times faster than those currently achievable with chemical rockets. In addition, it will provide more efficient acceleration and deceleration capabilities, allowing for greater control over mission trajectories and destination points. The DRACO engine also offers potential applications beyond space exploration; its high power output could be used for other purposes such as powering satellites or launching payloads into orbit around Earth or other planets. Additionally, its small size makes it suitable for use on smaller spacecraft such as CubeSats or microsatellites, which could open up new possibilities for low-cost exploration missions. The joint effort between NASA and DARPA marks an important milestone in space exploration technology; with their combined resources they can make great strides towards unlocking the potential of nuclear propulsion systems and pushing humanity further into the cosmos than ever before.