Space Nuclear Propulsion for Human Mars Exploration

Space Nuclear Propulsion for Human Mars Exploration identifies primary technical and programmatic challenges, merits, and risks for developing and demonstrating space nuclear propulsion technologies of interest to future exploration missions. This report presents key milestones and a top-level development and demonstration roadmap for performance nuclear thermal propulsion and nuclear electric propulsion systems and identifies missions that could be enabled by successful development of each technology. Table of ContentsFront MatterExecutive Summary1 Introduction and Baseline Mission Requirements2 Nuclear Thermal Propulsion3 Nuclear Electric Propulsion4 System and Programmatic Issues5 Mission ApplicationsAppendixesAppendix A: Statement of Task and Additional GuidanceAppendix B: Findings and RecommendationsAppendix C: Committee Member BiographiesAppendix D: Acronyms