Illustration of a nuclear thermal rocket (NTR) engine. NTR propulsion has a thrust to weight ratio of approximately 10, 000 times greater than electric propulsion. This rocket expands the possibilities for future long-duration spaceflight, due to its greater speeds. The rocket will be powered by the nuclear fission of uranium. The fission reactor generates heat to expand a liquid propellent which shoots out of a nozzle to propel the rocket. A test flight of a prototype is set for 2027 to orbit the Earth. | |
Licence : | Droits gérés |
Crédit: | Science Photo Library / US Department of Defense |
Taille de l’image : | 7680 px × 4296 px |
Model Release : | Non requis |
Property Release : | Non requis |
Restrictions : |
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