NASA and DARPA Collaboration on Rocket Propulsion Technology Ann

Steve Howe, former director of the Center for Space Nuclear Research at the Idaho National Laboratory, left, NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, center, and Stefanie Tompkins, director of the Defense Advance Research Projects Agency (DARPA), right, are seen during a fireside chat announcing a new collaboration on nuclear thermal propulsion at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics SciTech Forum, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Md. NASA and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) will partner on the Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations, or DRACO, project to develop and demonstrate in-space a nuclear thermal engine. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)