Liquid Uranium Rocket Engine Could Enable Year-Long Mars Trips
2025-09-15
Engineers at Ohio State University are developing a revolutionary nuclear thermal rocket engine using liquid uranium. This centrifugal nuclear thermal rocket (CNTR) promises significantly faster and more efficient space travel, potentially enabling round trips to Mars within a single year. By directly heating propellant with liquid uranium, the CNTR boasts higher specific impulse (potentially exceeding 900 seconds) than traditional chemical or other nuclear engines, allowing for longer distances with less fuel. While still in its early stages and facing engineering challenges, the CNTR represents a significant leap towards faster, more efficient deep space exploration.
Tech
nuclear propulsion