NASA repurposes Gateway core for a nuclear-powered Mars mission
TL;DR Summary
NASA plans to pause Lunar Gateway work and repurpose its Power and Propulsion Element into SR-1 Freedom, a nuclear-electric propulsion demonstration using a uranium-fueled fission reactor and electric thrusters to reach Mars by the 2028 launch window. The mission will also deploy three Ingenuity-like helicopters (Skyfall) on Mars to scout landing sites, with the mothership’s fate to be decided after arrival. The plan faces significant technical, safety, and certification hurdles, and no cost figure has been disclosed.
- Here is NASA’s plan for nuking Gateway and sending it to Mars Ars Technica
- NASA's '1st nuclear powered interplanetary spacecraft' will send Skyfall helicopters to Mars in 2028 Space
- NASA announces nuclear-powered Mars mission by 2028 Scientific American
- NASA Aims to Launch the World's First Planet-Hopping Spacecraft Powered by Nuclear Fission Smithsonian Magazine
- Nasa to launch nuclear spaceship SR-1 Freedom, deploy helicopter fleet on Mars India Today
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