Nuclear Rockets
Nuclear rockets are a type of spacecraft propulsion system that use nuclear reactions to generate thrust. The basic principle behind nuclear rockets is to heat a propellant, such as liquid hydrogen, using a nuclear reactor. The heated propellant is then expelled out of a nozzle to create thrust. Nuclear rockets have the potential to provide much higher specific impulse, or fuel efficiency, than traditional chemical rockets, which could enable faster and more efficient space travel. However, nuclear rockets also pose significant technical and safety challenges, such as the risk of radioactive contamination in the event of an accident or malfunction. Despite these challenges, nuclear rockets have been studied and developed by various space agencies and private companies since the 1950s.
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