The weapon manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, has been awarded the production of a nuclear-fueled spacecraft as an integral part of the groundbreaking Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO) initiative.
The project, valued at an impressive $500 million, has nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) engines at its core and is set to overhaul space exploration.
DRACO’s primary objective is to create a more efficient propulsion system that utilizes nuclear-powered rocket engines. The process involves using a reactor’s heat to generate thrust from a hydrogen fuel. The innovative technology could significantly reduce travel times between space destinations, which is vital in safeguarding astronauts from radiation during potential Mars missions.
Lockheed Martin’s Vice President of Lunar Exploration Campaigns, Kirk Shireman, expressed his excitement for the potential of the project: “These enhanced and efficient nuclear thermal propulsion systems can diminish the time taken to travel between destinations, which is key in reducing radiation exposure for crews on Mars missions.”
Collaborative Efforts and Safety Measures
To bring this vision to life, Lockheed Martin will join forces with Virginia’s BWX Technologies to engineer the nuclear fission reactor for the engine. At the same time, the Department of Energy will supply the reactor’s high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) fuel.
The overarching goal of the DRACO project is to perform the inaugural demonstration of nuclear thermal propulsion in space. Although NASA’s NERVA program in the 1960s and 70s aimed to develop nuclear-powered rocket engines for deep space ventures, it never led to any operational flights.
Lockheed Martin has assured that the reactor will remain inert until the spacecraft achieves a nuclear-safe orbit, ensuring the system stays harmless until it enters a secure environment. To mitigate concerns about the potential launch or in-space failures that could lead to radioactive material leaks, BWX Technologies plans to incorporate “poison wires and poison systems” to prevent the reactor from becoming hazardous upon water contact.
DRACO’s groundbreaking nuclear thermal rocket engine demonstration is scheduled for 2027. With the eyes of the world upon them, Lockheed Martin’s pioneering project signifies a monumental advancement in space exploration and defence.
