Nuclear Thermal Rocket
A nuclear thermal rocket is a type of spacecraft propulsion system that uses a nuclear reactor to heat a propellant, usually liquid hydrogen, which then expands through a nozzle to generate thrust. The nuclear reactor heats the propellant to very high temperatures, which increases the exhaust velocity and specific impulse of the rocket, allowing it to achieve higher speeds and carry more payload than traditional chemical rockets. Nuclear thermal rockets have been studied extensively since the 1950s and have the potential to revolutionize space exploration by enabling faster and more efficient travel to the outer planets, asteroids, and even other star systems.
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