Science & Space
NASA Advances Nuclear-Powered Spacecraft for Mars and Beyond
NASA is progressing the nuclear power module for its SR-1 Freedom deep-space spacecraft.
What happened
NASA announced SR-1 Freedom during its “Ignition” event as a mission intended to become humanity’s first fission-powered spacecraft beyond Earth’s orbit. The spacecraft will demonstrate nuclear electric propulsion in deep space, and development is advancing on its key nuclear power module.
Why it matters
The mission targets a deep-space demonstration of nuclear electric propulsion, extending spacecraft power technology beyond Earth orbit toward Mars and farther destinations.
Source: NASA