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Sr 1 Freedom

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space15 days ago•80 min saved

NASA targets nuclear-electric propulsion with SR-1 Freedom, rebooting Voyager-era power talk

NASA is pursuing Space Reactor-1 Freedom, a 20-kilowatt fission reactor to power a nuclear-electric propulsion system for an interplanetary mission planned for 2028; the NEP approach would use reactor-generated electricity to run an ion engine, a shift from RTGs that have powered Voyager for decades. The project sits in NASA's long history of space nuclear power (SNAP, SNAP-10A, DRACO) with safety and regulatory hurdles still in play; Voyager probes remain RTG-powered and active.

via Space|

#interplanetary-spacecraft #nasa #nuclear-propulsion

space17 days ago•9 min saved

NASA repurposes Gateway core for a nuclear-powered Mars mission

NASA plans to pause Lunar Gateway work and repurpose its Power and Propulsion Element into SR-1 Freedom, a nuclear-electric propulsion demonstration using a uranium-fueled fission reactor and electric thrusters to reach Mars by the 2028 launch window. The mission will also deploy three Ingenuity-like helicopters (Skyfall) on Mars to scout landing sites, with the mothership’s fate to be decided after arrival. The plan faces significant technical, safety, and certification hurdles, and no cost figure has been disclosed.

via Ars Technica|

#gateway #nasa #nuclear-propulsion

science17 days ago•37 min saved

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