 Representation of the rocket | |||||||||||
| Function | Reusable orbital launcher | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Lockheed Martin | ||||||||||
| Country of origin | United States | ||||||||||
| Launch history | |||||||||||
| Status | In development | ||||||||||
| First flight | 2027 (planned) | ||||||||||
| |||||||||||
| |||||||||||
The Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO) is an under development launch vehicle by Lockheed Martin in partnership with BWX Technologies as part of a DARPA program. The vehicle is planned to be reusable and will utilize next generation nuclear thermal propulsion technology, to be demonstrated in 2027.[1][2]
History[edit]
Utilizing nuclear energy for space travel reportedly has been discussed since the 1950s. Industry experts such as Freeman Dyson and Ted Taylor through their involvement in Project Orion aimed to create an early demonstration of the technology. Ultimately, the project received backing from Wernher von Braun, and reached the test flight stage of development, the project ended early due to environmental concerns.[3]
Development[edit]
Tabitha Dodson, DARPA program manager for DRACO says: “Unlike today’s chemical systems, which have reached a limit in how far they can evolve, nuclear technologies are theorized to evolve to systems such as fusion and beyond,” she says. “Spacecraft evolved to be maneuvered and powered by nuclear reactors will enable humanity to go farther, with a higher chance of survival and success for any mission type.”[4]
In the DRACO program, responsibilities include:
- General Dynamics: Design of the NTP reactor including a blueprint for a propulsion subsystem
- Blue Origin and Lockheed Martin: design of the spacecraft, including the fission reactor which would use a special high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU).[5][6]
According to Lockheed, there are considerable efficiency and time gains from the in development DRACO vehicle.[7]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Mike Wall (26 July 2023). "NASA, DARPA to launch nuclear rocket to orbit by early 2026". Space.com. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
- ^ "Lockheed Martin Selected to Develop Nuclear-Powered Spacecraft". Media - Lockheed Martin. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
- ^ "Nuclear Pulse Propulsion: Gateway to the Stars". www.ans.org. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
- ^ "NASA, DARPA Partner with Industry on Mars Rocket Engine - NASA". 26 July 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
- ^ "Nuclear-powered spacecraft: why dreams of atomic rockets are back on". Physics World. 1 February 2024. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
- ^ Berger, Eric (26 July 2023). "The US government is taking a serious step toward space-based nuclear propulsion". Ars Technica. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
- ^ "(Nu)clear the Way: The Future of Nuclear Propulsion is Here". Lockheed Martin. Retrieved 13 April 2024.