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NASAs new DRACO engine takes a human to Mars in days.

"Artist concept of Demonstration for Rocket to Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO) spacecraft, which will demonstrate a nuclear thermal rocket engine. Nuclear thermal propulsion technology could be used for future NASA crewed missions to Mars. (DARPA)" (Breaking Defense/NASA funding DRACO nuclear thermal rocket engine under deal with DARPA)


DRACO (Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations) is one of the most interesting nuclear thermal rocket engines in the history of that kind of research project. The DRACO engine heats hydrogen to 5000 degrees Fahrenheit or 2570 degrees Celsius. 

And the benefit of that kinds of systems is that their thrust is greater than electric propulsion. Nuclear thermal propulsion is like all other rocket engines. But it uses a nuclear reactor for expanding propellant. 

That allows many types of operations. When we think about the power of nuclear thermal propulsion it's one of the most promising engine systems in interplanetary missions. If the propellant like hydrogen comes to the engine from the upward or front side. 

It gives a very powerful punch to the front of the reactor chamber. And that kinds of systems are making it possible to transfer people to Mars in a short time which means a couple of days.

Also, nuclear thermal propulsion is a powerful tool for probes that should take samples to form Jupiter's and Saturn's moons. The thing is that the nuclear thermal propulsion system is not very sharp with the propellant. So the Jupiter or Saturn shuttle can fill its propellant tank from the hydrocarbon oceans or the giant planet's atmosphere. The only thing that limits the type of propellant is that it must travel through the turbine pump. 


The military can have many useful ideas for the DRACO system. 


The nuclear thermal engine can have many purposes. And that's why also DARPA is a participant in that project. The DRACO engine makes it possible to create the most powerful military systems ever created. In some visions, nuclear weapons would park to orbit other planets. 

And if those "super bombardment systems" are needed. The command center would give orders. And then the nuclear-powered device can aim at Earth. The speed that nuclear thermal propulsion can give to the system is enormous. 

The kinetic energy concrete-filled shell that is removed from the nuclear-powered carrier can hit the target with enormous power. In that model, the nuclear carrier continues its journey past Earth. When it released that "artificial meteorite". 

Or the system can also use a thermonuclear warhead. That is one of the most frightening visions that nuclear thermal systems can make. Researchers took the idea for that thing from "Project Orion". 


https://breakingdefense.com/2023/01/nasa-funding-draco-nuclear-thermal-rocket-engine-under-deal-with-darpa/


https://likeinterstellartravelingandfuturism.blogspot.com/


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