Nuclear thermal propulsion

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Nuclear thermal propulsion uses a nuclear core to heat a propellant and provide propulsion to a space vehicle.

History of nuclear thermal propulsion

American

Nerva[1]

Russian

Analysis of use

Advantages

  • Higher ISP than chemical
  • Higher power energy source
  • Shorter travel time
  • Oberth effect
  • Self cooling

Disadvantages

  • Cost
  • Cost of development
  • Risk of accident
  • Lower ISP than electric
  • Low public trust
  • Thrust to weight ratio usually lower than 1 (cannot take off from a planet)

Types

  • Solid core
  • Gas core
  • Nuclear light bulb, open and closed
  • Nerva on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NERVA