Space Nuclear Propulsion for Human Mars Exploration

Space Nuclear Propulsion for Human Mars Exploration identifies primary technical and programmatic challenges, merits, and risks for developing and demonstrating space nuclear propulsion technologies of interest to future exploration missions. This report presents key milestones and a top-level development and demonstration roadmap for performance nuclear thermal propulsion and nuclear electric propulsion systems and identifies missions that could be enabled by successful development of each technology.

Table of Contents


Front Matter
Executive Summary
1 Introduction and Baseline Mission Requirements
2 Nuclear Thermal Propulsion
3 Nuclear Electric Propulsion
4 System and Programmatic Issues
5 Mission Applications
Appendixes
Appendix A: Statement of Task and Additional Guidance
Appendix B: Findings and Recommendations
Appendix C: Committee Member Biographies
Appendix D: Acronyms