[ad_1]
Ultra Safe Nuclear Technologies, a Seattle, Washington-based company, reported that it sent NASA a concept design for the nuclear thermal propulsion engine. As part of a spaceflight study, they designed an NTP with the goal of getting Mars in just three months for future space travel missions. It comes after NASA officials said nuclear-powered systems will be needed for further exploration into space.
NTP systems use nuclear fission, the power of splitting atoms, to create thrust and are generally more efficient than existing chemical rockets.
Michael Eades, principal engineer at USNC-Tech, released a statement about the company’s nuclear engine, advertising it as even more reliable than other projects.
He also said that the company’s NTP project has a specific boost, referring to the amount of thrust of a propellant, “more than double that of chemical systems.”
Eades added: “We want to lead the effort to open new frontiers in space and do it quickly and safely.”
READ MORE: SpaceX News: Elon Musk’s Company Aims To Provide The Internet To The First Residents Of Mars
NASA News: NASA has received a blueprint for a nuclear thermal propulsion system (Image: GETTY)
NASA News: NTP systems have been touted to dramatically reduce travel to Mars by more than half (Image: PA)
NTP systems were seen as promising ways to dramatically reduce space travel times with heavier payloads than modern advanced rockets.
Experts believe the systems will be able to halve travel time to Mars, which is currently believed to be seven months one way.
Paolo Venneri, CEO of UNSC-Tech, said their project uses nuclear design aspects of the reactor and added: “The key to USNC-Tech’s project is a conscious overlap between ground and space reactor technologies.
“This allows us to take advances in nuclear technology and infrastructure from Earth systems and apply them to our space reactors.”
NASA News: Most rockets use chemical propulsion systems, with fuel burned at great cost (Image: GETTY)
NASA News: Mars has been highlighted as humanity’s next destination (Image: EXPRESS)
The proposal followed NASA scientists and engineers who conceded that nuclear-powered engines were the next big step in space travel.
Former NASA administrator Daniel Goldin recently said that “it’s time to grow up” and switch to nuclear power for future space exploration missions.
In a statement, NASA said adopting NTP would save the company millions of dollars and added, “What if it costs less, carries more and uses less fuel? This root system is electric propulsion in space.
“It can reduce the amount of fuel, or propellant, required by up to 90% compared to chemical propulsion systems, saving millions on launch costs and providing greater mission flexibility.”
NOT TO BE MISSED
The UK launches its own satellite with space command to combat the Russian threat [REVEALED]Coronavirus: psychological impact of wearing the mask [EXPOSED]Boris Johnson’s plan to cut his energy bill by £ 750 [REVEALED]
It also follows companies looking for ways to make interplanetary travel more a reality in the near future.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX has advertised its Starship rocket as almost ready to begin traveling to Mars.
Mr. Musk, the company’s CEO, said in conversation with Mars Society founder Robert Zubrin that SpaceX is on track to begin its first unmanned mission to Mars within four years.
He added, referring to a period once every 26 months: “I think we have a chance to fight to make that second transfer window to Mars.”
NASA News: NTP Systems Could Power Electrical Systems, Saving Millions (Image: PA)
NASA News: China has made huge investments in space travel in recent years (Image: EXPRESS)
An expert also warned that NASA is facing China’s challenge to be the dominant space power.
This was stated by Dr Malcolm Davis, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute Express.co.uk: “The Chinese have made it very clear that they intend to be a global space power, certainly by 2049. This is in their official statements.
“I think they’re probably moving faster than that to try and achieve that goal.
“So we’ll see how they fare. It’s not just the military side of things there, it’s also the civil and commercial side of things. “
[ad_2]
Source link
