Propulsion method
Nuclear Electric Propulsion
An architecture that pairs a space nuclear reactor with electric thrusters: the reactor generates electricity, which drives ion or Hall thrusters. Unlike solar-electric propulsion it is independent of distance from the Sun, making it a candidate for crewed missions to Mars and the outer Solar System. No nuclear-electric system has yet flown; it remains a design and technology-development goal.
Highlights
- ›A reactor powering electric thrusters — not yet flown
Hardware & related concepts
Across space engineering
Knowledge connections
- Associated withElectric Propulsion
- Associated withNuclear Thermal Propulsion
- Associated withCrewed Deep-Space Propulsion
- Associated withVASIMR
Sources
The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.
- 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.