NASA intends to launch a mission to Mars in 45 years using Bimodal Nuclear Propulsion.
Bimodal Nuclear Propulsion: What is it?
- A few years ago, NASA relaunched its programme to develop bimodal nuclear propulsion. Bimodal nuclear propulsion is a two-part system comprised of an NTP and a NEP component.
- This system is expected to allow Mars transits in 100 days.
- NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC), a new programme launched by the US space agency in 2023, has chosen a nuclear concept for Phase I development.
- This new bimodal nuclear propulsion system will employ a “wave rotor topping cycle,” which has the potential to reduce transit times to Mars to 45 days.
How will nuclear propulsion work?
- Nuclear propulsion is divided into two categories: nuclear-thermal propulsion (NTP) and nuclear-electric propulsion (NEP) (NEP).
- The NTP system includes a nuclear reactor that will heat liquid hydrogen (LH2) propellant to create ionised hydrogen gas (plasma), which will then be channelled through nozzles to generate thrust.
- NEP is reliant on a nuclear reactor to power a Hall-Effect thruster (ion engine).
- It will produce an electromagnetic field that will ionise and accelerate an inert gas (such as xenon) to produce thrust.
Benefits offered
- Nuclear propulsion has significant advantages over traditional chemical propulsion.
- These advantages include increased fuel efficiency, a higher specific impulse rating, and infinite energy density (virtually).
- The advantage of NEP over NTP and conventional chemical propulsion systems is that it has a Specific impulse of more than 10,000 seconds (ISP).
- ISP measures how efficiently a reaction mass engine (a rocket that uses propellant or a jet engine that uses fuel) generates thrust.
Advantages of manned missions
- A crewed mission to Mars using traditional propulsion technology could take up to three years.
- A transit time of 45 days, on the other hand, reduces the overall mission time to months rather than years.
- This will significantly reduce the major risks associated with Mars missions, such as radiation exposure, time spent in microgravity, and related health concerns.
These nuclear propulsion systems have limitations.
- This means that NEP systems can sustain thrust for nearly three hours.
- However, when compared to conventional rockets and NTP systems, the thrust level is lower.
- Under ideal conditions, the thermal energy conversion rate in outer space is only 30-40%.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/gadgets-news/explained-how-nuclear-powered-rockets-can-send-missions-to-mars-in-45-days/articleshow/97176430.cms