NASA and General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems ( GA-EMS ) have made significant progress in the development of nuclear thermal propulsion ( NTP ) technology. This milestone was reached after successfully conducting high-impact testing at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center ( MSFC ) in Huntsville, Alabama.
Innovation through nuclear thermal propulsion
The project included rigorous testing of GA-EMS’s specific nuclear fuel design, subjecting it to extreme operating conditions to replicate the deep space environment. These tests, conducted in hot hydrogen flow, included six thermal cycles reaching temperatures of up to 2600 K ( 4220 °F ). Each cycle evaluated the fuel’s ability to resist erosion and degradation, thereby demonstrating its reliability.
The dr. Christina Back, Vice President of Nuclear Materials and Technologies at GA-EMS, highlighted that these tests validated the fuel’s durability at temperatures of up to 3000 K, exceeding the conditions required for space missions. In addition, it was proven that this technology could be two to three times more efficient than chemical rocket engines .
The development of NTP technology is important to enable fast and agile missions to the Moon and Mars. The collaboration with NASA also allowed GA-EMS to use the MSFC’s Compact Element Test Facility ( CFEET ), being the first company to successfully demonstrate fuel endurance under these conditions.
GA-EMS President Scott Forney said the breakthrough brings the industry closer to achieving safe and reliable nuclear propulsion, opening up new possibilities for cislunar and deep space exploration.
These tests were conducted under a contract managed by Battelle Energy Alliance at Idaho National Laboratory. With such favorable results, GA-EMS and NASA continue their joint work to refine the fuel to meet the demands of future human and robotic missions.
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Source and photos: General Atomics
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