GoKawiilNASA commits $2 billion to nuclear electric propulsion after DRACO cancellation
NASA is pursuing a new $2 billion nuclear electric propulsion initiative, following the 2025 termination of DRACO, a joint NASA-Department of Defense nuclear thermal propulsion project that was canceled over high costs and testing safety concerns. The new approach, detailed in a presentation on NASA's SR-1 program by director Steve Sinacore, uses a uranium reactor generating at least 20 kilowatts to produce electricity that ionizes gas for thrust, offering low thrust but high efficiency over long durations.
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The repeated start-stop history of US nuclear propulsion efforts over 75 years suggests the technical and safety hurdles remain significant, even as NASA appears willing to fund another attempt. Sebastian Corbisiero of the Department of Energy frames the electric approach's efficiency as suited to long-duration missions, which could hint at ambitions for deep-space or interplanetary travel beyond what chemical rockets allow. Ground testing of the reactor before launch will likely be a critical hurdle, given past programs' struggles with safe experimentation.
- NASA is investing $2 billion in nuclear electric propulsion after DRACO's 2025 cancellation.
- The SR-1 concept uses a uranium reactor (at least 20 kW) to generate electricity that ionizes gas for thrust.
- The method offers low thrust but high efficiency, suited for long-duration space travel, according to DOE's Sebastian Corbisiero.
Source: technologyreview.com — Robin George Andrews, 2026-10-21
Published there as: “Nuclear-powered spaceships”
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