Submitted by Gari_305 t3_10kfmfj in Futurology
Comments
Real_Train7236 t1_j5r0ktx wrote
Whatever for? Like there is't enough stuff on earth to figure out and discover yet? With a fraction of the cost.
Emble12 t1_j5r3p0q wrote
Why can’t we do both?
07tartutic07 t1_j5sbtnv wrote
Interesting..... I have been reading about nuclear engines for sometime...
MrGraveyards t1_j5sxejd wrote
Yeah it hasn't been done before, but the designs are out there for quite some time. This is really a good way to travel faster within our solar system. Not super fast or anything, but faster.
ConfirmedCynic t1_j5t3kh9 wrote
More than just designs, they were testing firing one (NERVA) for a while.
MrGraveyards t1_j5tgb80 wrote
Oh yes that is true.
07tartutic07 t1_j5umigv wrote
Oh I didn't read that part
[deleted] t1_j5s8sgz wrote
[removed]
Sugarsmacks420 t1_j5rqxc8 wrote
NASA's nuclear anything always have "accidents" on the way up. Maybe take the lesson something doesn't want your nuclear shit up there.
Codydw12 t1_j5rxv5y wrote
> Other benefits to space travel include increased science payload capacity and higher power for instrumentation and communication. In a nuclear thermal rocket engine, a fission reactor is used to generate extremely high temperatures. The engine transfers the heat produced by the reactor to a liquid propellant, which is expanded and exhausted through a nozzle to propel the spacecraft. Nuclear thermal rockets can be three or more times more efficient than conventional chemical propulsion.
> NASA, the Department of Energy (DOE), and industry are also developing advanced space nuclear technologies for multiple initiatives to harness power for space exploration. Through NASA’s Fission Surface Power project, DOE awarded three commercial design efforts to develop nuclear power plant concepts that could be used on the surface of the Moon and, later, Mars.
> NASA and DOE are working another commercial design effort to advance higher temperature fission fuels and reactor designs as part of a nuclear thermal propulsion engine. These design efforts are still under development to support a longer-range goal for increased engine performance and will not be used for the DRACO engine.
Sugarsmacks420 t1_j5svt2o wrote
Hey you know what else you can make from spent nuclear fuel? Nuclear weapons, but of course, they would never do that, just ask them.
Codydw12 t1_j5tdkgg wrote
So should we stop developing any new technology for fear of its weaponization? Should we stop drilling petrol of fear it could become napalm?
Sugarsmacks420 t1_j5tl2z5 wrote
It would take a hell of a lot of napalm to equal the destructive effect of a nuclear weapon, why one would say that comparison is ridiculous.
Codydw12 t1_j5tqjpk wrote
That doesn't negate my point that fearing a technology because someone could weaponize it is stupid.
Sugarsmacks420 t1_j5tr177 wrote
Depends on the technology, and its not a IF with humans, its a when, when you say could you are trying to act like humans have some sort of limit to destruction. If a technology can be used for war, it has been, that sums up humanity.
Codydw12 t1_j5tsad7 wrote
The history of humankind is the history of warfare? Thanks for being the first person ever to point that out.
Nuclear technologies are incredibly powerful and can be dangerous, I will not deny that. But it is a tool the same as any other. Just because it can be used as a weapon does not mean other aspects can be thrown aside purely out of fear, same I believe of many up coming technologies such as AI and automation.
Sugarsmacks420 t1_j5ttvyx wrote
Humans can not be trusted with nuclear anything in space period. On top of that the fact the government has no problem flying up some cesium which could have catastrophic consequences like Fukishima says loads about those humans to begin with.
Codydw12 t1_j5txlpu wrote
So then what? Humanity as a whole finally unites together, something which has never been done before, all to stop technogical progression? Space infastructure will become limited to solar which is itself just a byproduct of the Sun's nuclear fussion?
Sugarsmacks420 t1_j5w4jtt wrote
Humanity unites? Maybe after about 4 billion die off
Codydw12 t1_j5w5c71 wrote
Oh so you're just a doomer who just believes that people just need to die.
Sugarsmacks420 t1_j5w6c2x wrote
Need? no, but that won't stop them
Gari_305 OP t1_j5qb0qi wrote
From the article
>NASA and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) announced Tuesday a collaboration to demonstrate a nuclear thermal rocket engine in space, an enabling capability for NASA crewed missions to Mars.
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>NASA and DARPA will partner on the Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations, or DRACO, program. The non-reimbursable agreement designed to benefit both agencies, outlines roles, responsibilities, and processes aimed at speeding up development efforts.
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>“NASA will work with our long-term partner, DARPA, to develop and demonstrate advanced nuclear thermal propulsion technology as soon as 2027. With the help of this new technology, astronauts could journey to and from deep space faster than ever – a major capability to prepare for crewed missions to Mars,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “Congratulations to both NASA and DARPA on this exciting investment, as we ignite the future, together.”
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>Using a nuclear thermal rocket allows for faster transit time, reducing risk for astronauts. Reducing transit time is a key component for human missions to Mars, as longer trips require more supplies and more robust systems. Maturing faster, more efficient transportation technology will help NASA meet its Moon to Mars Objectives.