Exploration architecture

Crewed Deep-Space Propulsion

Getting a crew to Mars quickly enough to limit their exposure to weightlessness and radiation. Chemical rockets are proven but heavy on propellant; nuclear-thermal and nuclear-electric propulsion promise shorter transits, while solar-electric tugs can pre-position cargo ahead of the crew.

Nuclear Thermal Propulsion
The Deep-Space Transit Habitat

Knowledge connections

Associated withNuclear Thermal Propulsion
Associated withThe Deep-Space Transit Habitat
Associated withNuclear Electric Propulsion

Sources

Facts on this topic will be cited from these primary and reference sources.

NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.
Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.

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Crewed Deep-Space Propulsion

Systems, programs & concepts

Knowledge connections

Sources

Crewed Deep-Space Propulsion

Systems, programs & concepts

Knowledge connections

Sources