− | However, a little know technology, the wave rotor, can be used to further compress the hot gas from a nuclear rocket before it enters the rocket nozzle. This can boost the ISP to 1,400 to 2,000 seconds. If such a rocket with an ISP or 1,800 seconds could be created, missions to Mars would need 1/2 the reaction mass of a NERVA rocket, or 1/4 the reaction mass of a chemical rocket. This would allow much more payload to be sent to Mars, and increase the safety, and efficiency of such missions.<ref>https://www.egr.msu.edu/mueller/NMReferences/HirceagaIancuMueller_2005Timisoara_WaveRotorsTechnologyAndApplications.pdf</ref><ref>https://www.nextbigfuture.com/2023/01/nuclear-wave-rotor-propulsion-could-get-ten-times-chemical-rocket-speeds.html</ref><ref>https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/spacetech/niac/2023/New_Class_of_Bimodal/</ref>
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