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NASA Backs Revolutionary Nuclear Reactor for Mars Missions

9/12/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is developing a nuclear reactor test bed for space propulsion systems aimed at Mars missions.
The test bed simulates propellant behavior using water and air with a non-nuclear setup.
Ohio State University is creating a centrifugal nuclear thermal rocket (CNTR) that uses liquid uranium to improve rocket efficiency.
CNTR could double engine efficiency, shortening deep-space travel time.
NASA backs this research to advance nuclear thermal propulsion technology.

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Story summary

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is developing a nuclear reactor test bed for space propulsion systems aimed at Mars missions.
The test bed simulates propellant behavior using water and air with a non-nuclear setup.
Ohio State University is creating a centrifugal nuclear thermal rocket (CNTR) that uses liquid uranium to improve rocket efficiency.
CNTR could double engine efficiency, shortening deep-space travel time.
NASA backs this research to advance nuclear thermal propulsion technology.