Nuclear Propulsion
Nuclear propulsion is a technology that uses nuclear reactions to accelerate propellants, generating thrust to propel a spacecraft. The most common type of nuclear propulsion uses a nuclear reactor to heat a propellant, which then expands through a nozzle to create thrust. Nuclear propulsion offers several advantages over chemical propulsion, including higher specific impulse, which means more efficient use of propellant, and higher thrust, which means faster travel times. However, nuclear propulsion also presents several challenges, including the need for radiation shielding and the potential for nuclear accidents. Despite these challenges, nuclear propulsion has been used successfully in several space missions, including the Voyager and Cassini spacecraft.
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