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How NASA Pivoted to Nuclear Electric Propulsion for Deep Space

NASA and the Department of Energy have signed a new pact to accelerate space nuclear technologies, advancing the SR-1 Freedom spacecraft toward its 2028 Mars launch. The mission recently secured a critical contract for its nuclear power module, marking a major step in transitioning fission propulsion from laboratory research to deep-space operations.

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NASA's Space Reactor-1 Freedom will be the first spacecraft to demonstrate fission power beyond Earth's orbit.From: NASA and DOE Advance Fission-Powered Space Reactor With Key Module Milestones

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Key numbers

20+ kW
SR-1 electrical power output
2028
Target launch year for SR-1 Freedom
61 years
Gap since last U.S. space reactor (SNAP-10A)
3
Helicopters in the Skyfall Mars payload

From: How NASA Pivoted to Nuclear Electric Propulsion for Deep Space

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The SR-1 Freedom mission relies on a 20-kilowatt reactor to power its plasma thruster array.From: NASA and DOE Advance Fission-Powered Space Reactor With Key Module Milestones ·
Future lunar surface reactors will double the power output of the orbital SR-1 pathfinder.From: NASA and DOE Advance Fission-Powered Space Reactor With Key Module Milestones ·
Nuclear Thermal Propulsion directly heats propellant for high thrust, while Nuclear Electric Propulsion generates electricity for highly efficient ion thrusters.From: How NASA Pivoted to Nuclear Electric Propulsion for Deep Space ·
The accelerated timeline for deploying American space nuclear power over the next decade.From: How NASA Pivoted to Nuclear Electric Propulsion for Deep Space ·
NASA and the Department of Energy signed a ten-year pact to accelerate space nuclear development.From: NASA and DOE Advance Fission-Powered Space Reactor With Key Module Milestones ·
The 40-kilowatt Lunar Reactor-1 is designed to sustain a permanent Moon base through the lunar night.From: NASA and DOE Advance Fission-Powered Space Reactor With Key Module Milestones ·
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The SR-1 Freedom mission will deploy the 'Skyfall' payload, sending three helicopters to map subsurface water ice on Mars.From: How NASA Pivoted to Nuclear Electric Propulsion for Deep Space ·

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