"NASA's Groundbreaking Nuclear-Powered Rocket Set for 2025 Launch"

NASA and DARPA plan to launch the world's first nuclear-powered spacecraft, named DRACO, as early as 2025. The $499 million mission aims to test a new rocket propulsion system that could potentially send astronauts to Mars in just 45 days. The spacecraft will be designed, built, and tested by Lockheed Martin. The nuclear system, which harnesses the power of nuclear fission, is expected to be three times more efficient than chemical propulsion, reducing Mars flight times significantly. The hydrogen propellant will need to be kept at ultra-cold temperatures, presenting a major challenge for the developers. Once assembled, the spacecraft will be placed in a high orbit, allowing its radioactive fuel to decay to safe levels over a period of 300 years.