NASA is repurposing the nearly completed Power and Propulsion Element of the Gateway lunar station for a nuclear-electric propulsion demonstration in deep space, following a strategic shift toward building a surface base on the Moon. This move reflects a renewed focus on nuclear propulsion technology, which could enable more ambitious missions to Mars and beyond, despite past cancellations of similar projects like Prometheus and DRACO.
Background
Nuclear propulsion has long been considered a key technology for enabling faster and more efficient deep space missions, as it provides higher thrust and efficiency compared to chemical rockets, but previous projects like Prometheus and DRACO have been canceled despite significant investment.
- Source
- Ars Technica
- Published
- Mar 26, 2026 at 04:21 AM
- Score
- 8.0 / 10