https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_thermal_rocket
A nuclear thermal rocket ( NTR) is a type of thermal rocket where the heat from a nuclear reaction replaces the chemical energy of the propellants in a chemical rocket. In an NTR, a working fluid, usually liquid hydrogen, is heated to a high temperature in a nuclear reactor and then expands through a rocket nozzle to create thrust.

https://www1.grc.nasa.gov/research-and-engineering/nuclear-thermal-propulsion-systems/
Description of the Nuclear Fission Process. To generate the heat and thrust for a thermal propulsion system like NTP, a source of energy is needed. In an NTP system, that heat is generated by flowing hydrogen through a reactor that is enriched with the fissile nucleus Uranium-235 in order to achieve fission.

https://www.energy.gov/ne/articles/6-things-you-should-know-about-nuclear-thermal-propulsion
Watch on. Watch the animation above to learn about the benefits of nuclear thermal propulsion. Video courtesy of the Department of Energy. 1. NTP Systems Are Powered By Fission. NTP systems work by pumping a liquid propellant, most likely hydrogen, through a reactor core. Uranium atoms split apart inside the core and release heat through fission.

https://www.nasa.gov/tdm/space-nuclear-propulsion/
Nuclear thermal propulsion provides high thrust and twice the propellant efficiency of chemical rockets. The system works by transferring heat from the reactor to a liquid propellant. That heat converts the liquid into a gas, which expands through a nozzle to provide thrust and propel a spacecraft.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1g2aSj9ZTc
Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) systems work by pumping a liquid propellant, most likely hydrogen, through a reactor core. Uranium atoms split apart inside

https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/stmd/tech-demo-missions-program/nuclear-thermal-propulsion-game-changing-technology-for-deep-space-exploration/
The work on Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) is under the auspices of the Space Technology Mission Directorate's Game Changing Development Program. Today's advances in materials, testing capabilities, and reactor development are providing impetus for NASA to appraise Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) as an.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_propulsion
Nuclear thermal rockets can provide great performance advantages compared to chemical propulsion systems. Nuclear power sources could also be used to provide the spacecraft with electrical power for operations and scientific instrumentation. Examples: NERVA (Nuclear Energy for Rocket Vehicle Applications), a US nuclear thermal rocket program

https://sentinelmission.org/rocketry-propulsion-glossary/nuclear-thermal-rocket/
A nuclear thermal rocket is a type of spacecraft propulsion system that uses nuclear reactions to generate thrust. Unlike traditional chemical rockets that rely on the combustion of propellant to produce thrust, nuclear thermal rockets use the heat generated by a nuclear reactor to heat a propellant, such as hydrogen, which is then expelled at

http://large.stanford.edu/courses/2011/ph241/hamerly1/
Fig. 1: Schematic of a nuclear thermal rocket. Propellant enters through the turbopump on the right, is sent through passages in the reactor, and expelled out the nozzle. Source: Wikimedia Commons. Rocket science deserves its reputation as a subject that only geniuses dare study. Modern rockets are immensely complex systems that push the limits

https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20170003378/downloads/20170003378.pdf
Ref: Borowski et al., Space 2013, AIAA-2013-5354. NTP allows for shorter total mission time and shorter trip time (Less exposure to galactic cosmic radiation and zero-g) NTP allows mission robustness and potential abort scenarios. Fewer SLS launches can save operation time, money, and reduce risk. • NTP is initial step towards advanced space

https://www1.grc.nasa.gov/research-and-engineering/nuclear-thermal-propulsion-systems/typical-components/
Includes plumbing, valves, filters, and fluid management devices needed to ensure the propellant is adequately delivered to the reactor at the right conditions. The Turbopump includes turbomachinery/pumps needed to help push and condition the propellant from the propellant tanks to the reactor. These components fall under the broad category of

https://x-energy.com/why/nuclear-and-space/nuclear-thermal-propulsion
In the summer of 2020, X-energy submitted its concepts for a nuclear thermal propulsion reactor capable of achieving a specific impulse of 900 seconds. Specific impulse is a measure of how efficiently a rocket engine uses its propellant. It's kind of like gas mileage for a car: a higher specific impulse means you can go faster and farther for

https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20190032556/downloads/20190032556.pdf
Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) For human Mars missions, NTP can reduce crew time away from earth from >900 days to <600 days while still allowing ample time for surface exploration. Reduce crew exposure to space radiation, microgravity, other hazards. NTP can enable abort modes not available with other architectures.

https://www.energy.gov/ne/articles/infographic-how-does-nuclear-thermal-propulsion-work
19-50604_742x960-01.png.zip. Infographic on the basics of nuclear thermal propulsion.

https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20170012381/downloads/20170012381.pdf
How Does Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) Work? Major Elements of a Nuclear Thermal Rocket NERVA Nuclear Thermal Rocket Prototype. 5 Long history of use on Apollo and space science missions 44 RTGs and hundreds of RHUs launched by U.S. during past 5 decades Heat produced from natural alpha (a) particle

https://www.energy.gov/ne/articles/video-how-does-nuclear-thermal-propulsion-rocket-work
May 20, 2020. Video: How does a Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Rocket Work? Click to watch the video. Nuclear Thermal Propulsion systems work by pumping a liquid propellant, most likely hydrogen, through a reactor core.

https://www.ansto.gov.au/our-science/nuclear-technologies/reactor-systems/nuclear-propulsion-systems
Nuclear thermal propulsion is about twice as efficient as chemical rockets and can shorten travel times while delivering greater payloads. For example, a trip to Mars can be reduced by a quarter. Reducing the flight time is particularly important for crewed missions, as short travel times would reduce the flight crew's exposure to harmful

https://atomicinsights.com/inside-view-how-do-nuclear-rockets-work/
Calculations performed as part of the space nuclear propulsion program show that a first generation nuclear thermal rocket will allow a performance improvement of between 50 and 400 percent over the best conventional rocket motors. The specific impulse available will be approximately twice what a chemical rocket can produce.

https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-darpa-will-test-nuclear-engine-for-future-mars-missions/
"NASA will work with our long-term partner, DARPA, to develop and demonstrate advanced nuclear thermal propulsion technology as soon as 2027. With the help of this new technology, astronauts could journey to and from deep space faster than ever - a major capability to prepare for crewed missions to Mars," said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.

https://space.stackexchange.com/questions/14602/how-does-propellant-flow-work-in-a-nuclear-thermal-rocket
What you are missing, is that the density of your propellant drops by heating, both in chemical reactions, as well as by being fed through a nuclear core. For a nuclear thermal rocket some of the heated (and thus expanded) hydrogen is tapped off to drive a turbine, which provides the energy to power a fuel pump.

https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20210017941/downloads/JANNAF_2021June_NTPScienceMission.pdf
lander, the solar polar orbiter, and the interstellar medium probe missions. INTRODUCTIONNuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) systems feature the use of a fission reactor, in which heat from the re. ctor is used to heat a propellant that is then expanded through a nozzle, providing thrust. NTP engines have the potential to provide thrusts

https://nucleus.iaea.org/sites/fusionportal/Atoms%20for%20Space/04_Emrich%20Promises%20and%20Challenges%20of%20Nuclear%20Propulsion%20for%20Space%20Travel.pdf
practical sense propulsion systems more efficient than today's best chemical rocket engines will be required (e.g. chemical engines are energy limited). • Nuclear rocket engines, on the other hand, have no such constraints. • Almost unlimited energy is available to heat the propellant. A typical manned

https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/13/3068
Nuclear thermal propulsion is an evolving technology that can be utilized for long-distance space travel. This technology yields the advantage of a high thrust and specific impulse, but requires an examination of the potential design adjustments necessary to enhance its feasibility. The development of nuclear thermal propulsion requires a comprehensive understanding of the system-level

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/atom-for-space-nuclear-propulsion-for-interstellar-navigation/ar-BB1inGcw
Between 1955 and 1972, the United States spent more than $1.4 billion on developing nuclear rockets and related technologies. So far, NASA has only sent one nuclear reactor to space, on a

https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20190033337/downloads/20190033337.pdf
Historic Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Efforts. 20 Rocket/reactors designed, built & tested at cost of ~1.4 B$. Engine sizes tested. 25, 50, 75 and 250 klbf.

https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/gfssp-primingfluidtransient-jpp2014.pdf?emrc=667c12463d5a0
structural integrity point of view of the propulsion systems. Apartfromaerospaceapplications,thepipesystemisalsoacrucial component of many commercial and industrial facilities, such as the hydraulic, thermal, and nuclear powerplants; urban supply; and drainage systems. In many such systems, valves are often used at several junctions to regulate