British spacecraft could fly to Mars in half the period it takes now. British luxury car and aircraft engine maker Rolls-Royce collaborated with the UK Space Agency to create nuclear propulsion engines.
The aerospace corporation hopes that the nuclear-powered engines will help astronauts hit Mars in at least three months and unlock deeper exploration of space in the decades to come.
The relationship between Rolls-Royce and the UK Space Agency would put planetary scientists together to investigate how nuclear technology might be used to "revolutionize space travel."
Dr. Graham Turnock, the UK Space Agency's chief executive, said nuclear power usage in space was a game-changing proposal that might unlock potential deep-space flights to carry humanity to and beyond Mars.
The research would help astronauts grasp the promising potential of atomic-powered spacecraft and if cosmonauts will fly farther and quicker into space than ever before using this new technology.'
How This Innovation Would Help Astronauts In The Future
A nuclear-powered engine might also allow explorers to secure on journeys into deep space.
Astronauts will be subject to a reduced dosage of radiation and travel periods cut in half, which might shield them from radiation sickness and disease.
NASA explained that space radiation would bring astronauts at substantial risk of radiation sickness, tumors, and other disorders at elevated lifetime risk.
Rolls-Royce Defence UK Senior Vice President Dave Gordon said the organization is delighted to be collaborating on this groundbreaking initiative with the UKSA to identify potential space nuclear power technology.
Rolls-Royce claims that there is a legitimate UK niche capability in this region, and this project will draw on the powerful UK nuclear network and supply chain.
As Rolls-Royce strives to build the capacity to defend the earth, safeguard our environment and discover our Cosmos, the organization looks forward to creating this and other groundbreaking space ventures in the future.
Nuclear Powered Spaceship Is Not New
The concept of a spaceship engine fueled by nuclear power is not new.
Back in 1961, NASA initiated a proposal for the production of a nuclear-powered engine, but the program was discontinued in 1972 due to space budget cuts.
More than 45 years later, NASA is now focusing yet again on a Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) device.
NTP project at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center's manager, Doyce 'Sonny' Mitchell, said they are working on a first-generation NTP device with great development potential.
The timetable for the project by NASA remains uncertain.
In the meantime, Britain's Minister of Technology, Amanda Solloway, suggests that nuclear power could help build employment and offer transformative possibilities for exploring space.
It comes after nuclear spacecraft technology was first studied by US scientists in the 1950s and 1960s. The software, however, which was introduced in Nevada, was canned in 1971.
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