NASA, DARPA Experts to Discuss Nuclear Rocket Program Developments

[NASA News Releases <hqnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

	July 26, 2023  MEDIA ADVISORY M23-093 NASA, DARPA Experts to Discuss Nuclear Rocket Program Developments draco-4-darpa-nasa-ussf-caption_2.jpg Artist concept of Demonstration for Rocket to Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO) spacecraft, which will demonstrate a nuclear thermal rocket engine. Nuclear thermal propulsion technology could be used for future NASA crewed missions to Mars. Credits: DARPA Experts from NASA and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) will hold a media teleconference at 1 p.m. EDT Wednesday, July 26, to discuss the latest developments in the Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO) program. Audio of the teleconference will stream live on NASA's website. The media teleconference follows DARPA’s announcement that design and fabrication of the DRACO nuclear-powered rocket will begin under a new agreement between DARPA and Lockheed Martin. BWX Technologies also will play a role in the program by creating the nuclear fission reactor that will power the rocket engine. Nuclear propulsion is a key capability on NASA's roadmap to send astronauts to Mars. A nuclear-powered rocket would enable faster trips to the Red Planet, making missions less complex and safer for crew. This type of engine requires significantly less propellant than chemical rockets, so missions would be able to carry additional scientific equipment. Participants in the teleconference include: Dr. Anthony Calomino, space nuclear technologies portfolio manager, NASA Dr. Tabitha Dodson, DRACO program manager, DARPA Kirk Shireman, vice president, Lockheed Martin Lunar Exploration Campaigns Joe Miller, president, BWXT Advanced Technologies Media must RSVP no later than 12:30 p.m. EDT to outreach@xxxxxxxxx to participate and ask questions. To learn more about NASA's work on the DRACO program, visit: https://go.nasa.gov/3OvFAhS -end-
	Press Contacts Sarah Frazier / Roxana Bardan Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1112 / 202-358-1600 sarah.frazier@xxxxxxxx / roxana.bardan@xxxxxxxx Tabatha Thompson DARPA 703-526-2085 outreach@xxxxxxxxx
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