NASA announced its plans to develop a nuclear-powered rocket. This new rocket could cut the travel time from Earth to Mars.
In its announcement, NASA said it has partnered with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to develop and demonstrate a nuclear-powered rocket engine in space by 2027.
This project is aimed at developing a new propulsion system in outer space that is different from the chemical systems that have been used since the beginning of modern rockets.
"Using a nuclear thermal rocket allows for a faster transit time, reducing risks for astronauts," NASA said in its official statement, as quoted by The Guardian, Wednesday (25/1/2023).
"Reducing transit times is a key component to human missions to Mars, as longer journeys require more supplies and more robust systems."
In addition to faster travel, nuclear-powered rockets also have other advantages such as greater scientific payload capacity and more power for instrumentation and communications.
With today's rocket technology, the 123 million km journey from Earth to Mars takes about seven months. It's not yet known how much time could be cut by using a nuclear-powered rocket, but NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said it would make it easier for spacecraft and humans to travel into space at high speeds.
"With the help of this new technology, astronauts can venture to and from space much more quickly than before -- a key capability for preparing for manned missions to Mars," said Nelson.
This isn't the first time NASA has developed a nuclear-powered rocket. Through the Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Application (NERVA) program, NASA planned to fly astronauts to Mars using a nuclear-powered rocket in 1979. But the program was canceled in 1972 due to budget cuts and fears of the Cold War.
NASA last year successfully launched the Artemis 1 mission to the Moon. This mission will be a stepping stone to landing astronauts on the Moon in 2025, followed by the first astronaut landing on Mars in 2030.