‘‘Fast Track’’ nuclear thermal propulsion concept

Abstract

The objective of the Space Exploration Initiative (‘‘America at the Threshold...,’’ 1991) is the exploration of Mars by man in the second decade of the 21st century. The NASA ‘‘Fast Track’’ approach (NASA‐LeRC Presentation, 1992) could accelerate the manned exploration of Mars to 2007. NERVA‐derived nuclear propulsion represents a viable near‐term technology approach to accomplish the accelerated schedule. Key milestones in the progression to the manned Mars mission are (1) demonstration of TRL‐6 for the man‐rateable system by 1999, (2) a robotic lunar mission by 2000, (3) the first cargo mission to Mars by 2005, and (4) the piloted Mars mission in 2007. The Rocketdyne‐Westinghouse concept for nuclear thermal propulsion to achieve these milestones combines the nuclear reactor technology of the Rover/NERVA programs and the state‐of‐the‐art hardware designs from hydrogen‐fueled rocket engine successes like the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME).