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Nuclear Electric Propulsion

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NASA gears up for 2028 Mars mission with nuclear-powered Skyfall helicopters
science17 days ago

NASA gears up for 2028 Mars mission with nuclear-powered Skyfall helicopters

NASA announced the Skyfall mission to Mars for a December 2028 launch aboard Space Reactor-1 Freedom, a nuclear-powered interplanetary spacecraft. The plan calls for three small helicopters to scout landing sites and map subsurface ice using cameras and ground-penetrating radar, helping pave the way for future human exploration while establishing flight heritage for nuclear propulsion and laying groundwork for regulatory and launch precedents.

via Yahoo|
#mars#nasa#nuclear-electric-propulsion
NASA bets on nuclear-electric power for a 2028 Mars mission
space17 days ago

NASA bets on nuclear-electric power for a 2028 Mars mission

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and agency leaders announced Space Reactor-1 Freedom, a nuclear-electric propulsion mission to Mars set for December 2028 that repurposes the Lunar Gateway’s Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) to run xenon ion thrusters and carry three Ingenuity-class helicopters for surface scouting. The spacecraft will host a 20+ kilowatt fission reactor with a closed Brayton power cycle, using solar panels to supply electricity when the reactor is off. The mission aims to demonstrate Nuclear Electric Propulsion as a pathfinder for high‑power, long‑duration journeys and to inform future missions, with readiness milestones in 2027–2028 and a plan to arrive near Mars about a year after launch; it could spawn further concept missions like Lunar Reactor-1 and invite commercial partners and student payloads.

via NASASpaceFlight.com -|
#ingenuity-class-helicopters#mars-mission#nuclear-electric-propulsion