Researcher Poses with a Nuclear Rocket Model

A researcher at the NASA Lewis Research Center with slide ruler poses with models of the earth and a nuclear-propelled rocket. The Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Applications (NERVA) was a joint NASA and Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) endeavor to develop a nuclear-powered rocket for both long-range missions to Mars and as a possible upper-stage for the Apollo Program. The early portion of the program consisted of basic reactor and fuel system research. This was followed by a series of Kiwi reactors built to test nuclear rocket principles in a non-flying nuclear engine. The next phase, NERVA, would create an entire flyable engine. The AEC was responsible for designing the nuclear reactor and overall engine. NASA Lewis was responsible for developing the liquid-hydrogen fuel system. The nuclear rocket model in this photograph includes a reactor at the far right with a hydrogen propellant tank and large radiator below. The payload or crew would be at the far left, distanced from the reactor.

Artist concept of NASA Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array, managed by JPL. It will expand our understanding of the origins and destinies of stars and galaxies.

Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array NuSTAR Artist concept

In this 1971 artist's concept, the Nuclear Shuttle is shown in various space-based applications. As envisioned by Marshall Space Flight Center Program Development persornel, the Nuclear Shuttle would deliver payloads to geosychronous Earth orbits or lunar orbits then return to low Earth orbit for refueling. A cluster of Nuclear Shuttle units could form the basis for planetary missions.

Early Program Development

In this 1970 artist's concept, the Nuclear Shuttle is shown in its lunar and geosynchronous orbit configuration and in its planetary mission configuration. As envisioned by Marshall Space Flight Center Program Development plarners, the Nuclear Shuttle would deliver payloads to lunar orbit or other destinations then return to Earth orbit for refueling. A cluster of Nuclear Shuttle units could form the basis for planetary missions.

This 1970 artist's concept shows a Nuclear Shuttle in flight. As envisioned by Marshall Space Flight Center Program Development engineers, the Nuclear Shuttle would deliver payloads to lunar orbit or other destinations then return to Earth orbit for refueling and additional missions.

Early Program Development

This 1971 artist's concept shows the Nuclear Shuttle in both its lunar logistics configuraton and geosynchronous station configuration. As envisioned by Marshall Space Flight Center Program Development persornel, the Nuclear Shuttle would deliver payloads to lunar orbits or other destinations then return to Earth orbit for refueling and additional missions.

Early Program Development

This artist's concept from 1970 shows a Nuclear Shuttle taking on fuel from an orbiting Liquid Hydrogen Depot. As envisioned by Marshall Space Flight Center Program Development persornel, the Nuclear Shuttle would deliver payloads to lunar orbit or other destinations then return to Earth orbit for refueling and additional missions.

Early Program Development

This artist's concept from 1970 shows a Nuclear Shuttle docked to an Orbital Propellant Depot and an early Space Shuttle. As envisioned by Marshall Space Flight Center Program Development plarners, the Nuclear Shuttle, in either manned or unmanned mode, would deliver payloads to lunar orbit or other destinations then return to Earth orbit for refueling and additonal missions.

Early Program Development

As part of the Space Task Group's recommendations for more commonality and integration in America's space program, Marshall Space Flight Center engineers proposed the use of a Nuclear Shuttle in conjunction with a space station module, illustrated in this 1970 artist's concept, as the basis for a Mars excursion module.

Early Program Development

In the 1960's U.S. Government laboratories, under Project Orion, investigated a pulsed nuclear fission propulsion system. Small nuclear pulse units would be sequentially discharged from the aft end of the vehicle. A blast shield and shock absorber system would protect the crew and convert the shock loads into a continuous propulsive force.

Research Technology

In this artist's concept from 1970, propulsion concepts such as the Nuclear Shuttle and Space Tug are shown in conjunction with other proposed spacecraft. As a result of the recommendations from President Nixon's Space Task Group for more commonality and integration in the American space program, Marshall Space Flight engineers studied many of the spacecraft depicted here.

Early Program Development

NASA Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

From left to right, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy at the Department of Energy, Dr. Kathryn Huff, Director of the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History, Jim Walther, and Director of the NASA Science Mission Directorate’s Planetary Science Division, Dr. Lori Glaze, pose for a photo after Dr. Huff and Dr. Glaze accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of their agencies during the Nuclear Science Week event, Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021, at The Observatory at America’s Square in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Director of the NASA Science Mission Directorate’s Planetary Science Division, Dr. Lori Glaze, speaks after accepting the Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of the agency during the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History’s Nuclear Science Week event, Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021, at The Observatory at America’s Square in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

The Lifetime Achievement Award is seen at the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History’s Nuclear Science Week event where Director of the NASA Science Mission Directorate’s Planetary Science Division, Dr. Lori Glaze accepted it on behalf of the agency, Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021, at The Observatory at America’s Square in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

In the 1960's U.S. Government laboratories, under Project Orion, investigated a pulsed nuclear fission propulsion system. Based on Project Orion, an interplanetary vehicle using pulsed fission propulsion would incorporate modern technologies for momentum transfer, thermal management, and habitation design.

Research Technology

Skylab

NASA Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

Director of the NASA Science Mission Directorate’s Planetary Science Division, Dr. Lori Glaze, left, accepts the Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of the agency from director of the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History, Jim Walther, during the Nuclear Science Week event, Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021, at The Observatory at America’s Square in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)