NASA revealed New Nuclear Rocket Engine to Mars! Even Faster than SpaceX Starship

By 2029, Elon Musk plans to make history by sending the first humans to Mars, paving the way for millions to settle there permanently. But while the dream is bold, the reality of getting to Mars is a monumental challenge. The red planet is, on average, 140 million miles away, colder than Antarctica, and lacks oxygen—not exactly hospitable.

Even more daunting is the travel time. A round-trip mission to Mars aboard Starship would take at least 21 months:

9 months to reach Mars
3 months on its surface
9 months to return

That’s nearly two years in deep space. Would you be ready for such a journey?

Now, imagine if we could cut that travel time in half—or even by four times. That’s no longer just science fiction. NASA, in collaboration with DARPA, is working on a revolutionary solution: Nuclear Thermal Rocket Engines.

Let’s dive into this groundbreaking development and see how it could change interplanetary travel forever.

Why the Trip to Mars Is So Challenging

The Physical and Mental Toll of Space Travel

Long-term space missions take a serious toll on the human body. Prolonged exposure to microgravity can lead to:

Bone density loss, especially in the pelvis
Kidney stones
Slower bone healing
Red blood cell destruction increased by 54%

In space, astronauts lose 3 million red blood cells per second, compared to 2 million on Earth. These side effects compound over time, making shorter travel durations not just a convenience, but a necessity for astronaut health.

Fuel Challenges and Logistics

Carrying enough fuel for such long missions is another massive hurdle. SpaceX plans to solve this by creating orbital refueling stations, but that requires half a dozen support launches just to fully load one Starship bound for Mars.

It’s expensive, complex, and not scalable.

Enter Nuclear Thermal Rocket Engines

How Nuclear Rockets Work

Unlike chemical rockets, nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) uses nuclear fission to generate thrust. When a neutron hits a uranium atom, it splits, releasing immense energy. This heat is then used to superheat a propellant—typically hydrogen—which expands and is expelled to produce thrust.

Key benefits of NTP include:

Twice the specific impulse of chemical rockets
Reduced fuel requirements
Shorter travel times
Greater efficiency

NASA believes this technology could cut Mars travel time to just 45 days—four times faster than Starship’s current capabilities.

The Draco Project: NASA and DARPA’s Joint Mission

In 2021, DARPA launched the Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO) project. NASA joined in early 2023, aiming to:

Test engine components
Fine-tune reactor performance
Regulate thrust
Enable mid-mission engine restarts

The goal: a working prototype ready for test flight by 2027, and possibly a crewed mission to Mars by 2030.

Safety and Engineering: How Nuclear Rockets Stay Safe

NASA and DARPA are using high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) instead of highly enriched uranium for safety and non-proliferation reasons.

The reactor remains inactive until reaching a safe orbit
Fuel is tested under extreme conditions
Propellant options include hydrogen and ammonia—both relatively easy to store and produce

Testing and Validation: The General Atomics Breakthrough

In 2025, NASA and General Atomics successfully completed six thermal cycles of the fuel system, simulating harsh space conditions. This test reached:

Temperatures over 4,200°F (2,300°C)
Exposure to hydrogen gas under pressure
Evaluation of fuel survivability

Scott Forney, president of General Atomics, said:

“We’re very encouraged by the positive test results proving the fuel can survive these operational conditions…”

This puts NASA’s nuclear ambitions one giant leap closer to reality.

How Does Starship Compare?

Starship’s Speed and Launch Schedule

Despite the excitement around NTP, Starship still leads in timeline and scalability. SpaceX aims for:

Uncrewed Mars mission by 2026
Crewed mission by 2028

That’s two years ahead of any NASA-DARPA timeline.

High Payload and Modular Design

Starship is designed to:

Launch up to 10 times per day
Deliver 200+ tons per flight to low Earth orbit (LEO)
Carry 250 tons to Mars per launch window

This rapid cadence enables massive cargo delivery, such as:

Habitats
Rovers
Power systems
Water extractors
ISRU (In-Situ Resource Utilization) plants

Mars Fuel Production Advantage

Starship uses methane (CH4) and liquid oxygen (LOX)—both can be produced on Mars via:

The Sabatier reaction (CO₂ + H₂ → CH₄ + H₂O)
Electrolysis of subsurface water

This makes on-Mars refueling a reality, offering a closed-loop transport system—something nuclear rockets can’t yet match.

The Strategic Edge: Why Time Matters

Getting to Mars sooner has several advantages:

Claiming leadership in a future Martian economy
Beating rivals like China’s space program, aiming for a 2030s crewed mission
Building infrastructure early—Starship could double as an initial habitat or lab
Gaining operational experience and addressing unknowns ahead of government programs

The Future Is Collaborative, Not Competitive

It would be a mistake to frame this as a Starship vs. Nuclear Rocket debate.

Instead, each has a unique role:

Starship = Rapid transport, high volume, infrastructure development
Nuclear Rockets = Fast-response missions, emergencies, long-distance outer solar system travel

By combining both technologies, we can:

Accelerate exploration
Increase redundancy
Broaden mission capabilities
Expand beyond Mars, possibly to Jupiter’s moons or Saturn’s rings

Conclusion: A Multi-Technology Future for Mars and Beyond

While NASA’s nuclear thermal propulsion is faster, SpaceX’s Starship is more ready and scalable. Together, these systems represent the next phase of human space exploration.

As both projects progress:

NASA and DARPA will refine the tech for safe, powerful nuclear rockets
SpaceX will continue building a functional transportation system to Mars and back

In this space race, it’s not about who wins—it’s about all of us getting there faster, safer, and smarter.

Stay tuned, because the first human steps on Mars are no longer a matter of “if” but “when.”

FAQs

1. What is NASA’s new nuclear rocket engine?

NASA’s new engine uses nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP), which generates thrust by heating a propellant—like hydrogen—via a nuclear fission reactor. This system promises faster and more efficient space travel, especially for long-distance missions like those to Mars.

2. How fast can NASA’s nuclear rocket reach Mars?

According to NASA estimates, the nuclear rocket could reduce travel time to Mars to just 45 days, compared to the 9-month journey using current chemical rockets like SpaceX’s Starship.

3. What is the DRACO program?

DRACO (Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations) is a joint NASA-DARPA initiative aimed at developing and testing a nuclear thermal propulsion system by 2027, with the goal of enabling crewed Mars missions as early as 2030.

4. Is nuclear propulsion safe for space missions?

Yes, safety is a top priority. The nuclear reactor remains inactive during launch and only activates in orbit. It uses low-enriched uranium (HALEU), which is considered safer and less risky than highly enriched uranium.

5. How does nuclear propulsion compare to chemical rockets like Starship?

Nuclear propulsion offers higher specific impulse (efficiency), reduced fuel mass, and much faster travel times. However, Starship is further along in development and capable of frequent heavy-lift launches, making it better suited for mass cargo transport and early Martian infrastructure.

6. When will NASA’s nuclear rocket engine launch?

NASA and DARPA plan to conduct the first flight test of the nuclear engine in 2027, with potential crewed missions to Mars around 2030.

7. Is SpaceX still ahead in the Mars race?

Yes. SpaceX is aiming for its first uncrewed Mars mission by 2026 and a crewed mission by 2028, giving it a two-year head start over NASA’s nuclear plans.

8. Can Starship and nuclear rockets work together?

Absolutely. Starship could be used to build and supply Martian infrastructure, while nuclear-powered spacecraft could perform faster trips, emergencies, or explore deeper into the solar system. They are complementary technologies, not competitors.

9. What propellants are used in nuclear thermal propulsion?

Common propellants include hydrogen and ammonia. These are heated to extreme temperatures by the reactor to produce high-velocity thrust.

10. What company is building NASA’s nuclear engine?

Lockheed Martin is leading the development of the demonstration engine, working with BWX Technologies for the reactor and uranium fuel production. NASA is overseeing the reactor design, while DARPA manages operations and safety.

11. Will nuclear rockets be used for other planets besides Mars?

Yes, nuclear propulsion is ideal for deep space exploration—such as missions to Jupiter, Saturn, and beyond—due to its efficiency and long-range capabilities.

12. Could nuclear rocket engines replace Starship in the future?

Not likely. Starship is designed for mass transport, reusability, and in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) on Mars. Nuclear engines will more likely support fast, targeted missions or supplement Starship’s capabilities rather than replace them.