Part 3/8:
In response to the challenges posed by traditional chemical propulsion systems, NASA has turned its attention to nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) as a transformative solution. This innovative technology seeks to leverage nuclear fission to extract significantly more energy from a given mass of fuel compared to conventional methods. Dale Thomas, a prominent figure at the University of Alabama in Huntsville and former NASA associate director, notes that NTP can operate at much higher temperatures, increasing compactness and efficiency.