Blue Origin makes cut for DARPA nuclear propulsion trial

News

Blue Origin, General Atomics and Lockheed Martin have been selected by DARPA for the first phase of a test programme for space-based nuclear propulsion.

The Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO) programme is aiming to develop a nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) system for the interlunar space above low Earth orbit by 2025.

Current space propulsion is generally either chemical or electric, but the former can be inefficient while the latter offers a poor thrust-to-weight ratio. NPTs have the potential to combine the benefits of both, pairing the efficiency of electric propulsion with high thrust-to-weight ratios of chemical thrust. According to DARPA, the technology would enable the DRACO spacecraft to fulfil the US Department of Defence’s key tenet of rapid manoeuvre in cislunar space between the Earth and Moon.

Boeing and DARPA join forces on space plane programme

Blue Origin completes vertical rocket landing

“The performer teams have demonstrated capabilities to develop and deploy advanced reactor, propulsion, and spacecraft systems,” said Major Nathan Greiner of the US Air Force, programme manager for DRACO. “The NTP technology we seek to develop and demonstrate under the DRACO programme aims to be foundational to future operations in space.”

Register now to continue reading

Thanks for visiting The Engineer. You’ve now reached your monthly limit of news stories. Register for free to unlock unlimited access to all of our news coverage, as well as premium content including opinion, in-depth features and special reports.  

Benefits of registering

  • In-depth insights and coverage of key emerging trends

  • Unrestricted access to special reports throughout the year

  • Daily technology news delivered straight to your inbox

Register
Or continue by

Signing in with your registered email address