NASA bets on nuclear propulsion to slash Mars journeys

NASA is accelerating nuclear propulsion efforts to shrink the Mars trip from more than six months to roughly three to four months, using nuclear thermal propulsion for high thrust and nuclear electric propulsion (ion thrusters) for fuel-efficient, long-duration power. The uncrewed SR-1 Freedom mission is planned for 2028 to test nuclear-powered deep-space travel and deploy Skyfall drones, aiming to prove the technology for future crewed missions. While offering shorter radiation exposure and more launch-window flexibility, the program faces safety, regulatory, and integration challenges before human flights.