New nuclear engine concept could cut Mars missions to three months

Space has always attracted with its inaccessibility and mysteriousness. But with each discovery, it becomes closer and, to some extent, more accessible. Today I want to tell you about the concept of the updated nuclear thermal engine (NTP), which was developed by Ultra Safe Nuclear Technologies (Seattle), and in the foreseeable future is capable of delivering ships to Mars for ninety days.

Chemical rockets and new nuclear engines

Now they are actively developing conceptual nuclear propulsion systems due to the fact that chemical missiles have almost reached their limit, and the concept of electric motors has a very low propulsive strength.

But not everything is so good with nuclear propellers. After all, their main "Achilles' heel" is the problem of minimizing the installation and ensuring maximum safety (especially if there is a crew on the ship).

But the company's engineers seem to have succeeded in developing a concept for an NTP nuclear engine that not only almost three times more efficient than previous developments, but also meets all the requirements for compactness and security.

What is known about the new engine

USNC-Tech Senior Engineer M. Edsa, the concept propeller, in addition to increased power and increased reliability, has a momentum twice as high as that of the most modern chemical rocket.

The fuel for the engine is specially prepared ceramic micro-encapsulated fuel (FCM), which is made on the basis of high-purity low-enriched uranium.

This fuel is created from the spent fuel of conventional (civil) nuclear reactors. It alone is enriched by 5-20% higher than in the preparation of fuel for reactors that are mounted on sea vessels.

After additional enrichment, the fuel is encapsulated in particles, which are coated with zirconium carbide.

According to the engineers, it is this type of fuel that will allow the installation to operate at high temperatures and at the same time remain stable and safe. And the ability to produce fuel at existing facilities makes it relatively cheap and readily available.

Prospects for a new engine concept

The company's engineers have submitted the concept to NASA for consideration and have high hopes that in the near future nuclear propulsion systems will be created that can significantly reduce flight times. And a manned flight to Mars can be carried out in some 90 days.

Well, let's see how this idea will be implemented and if scientists succeed, then the distant worlds will become even closer to humanity.

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