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.