NASAPress Releases

NASA, DARPA Experts to Discuss Nuclear Rocket Program Developments

Experts from NASA and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) will hold a media teleconference at 1 p.m. EDT Wednesday, July 26, to discuss the latest developments in the Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO) program. Audio of the teleconference will stream live on NASA’s website.

The media teleconference follows DARPA’s announcement that design and fabrication of the DRACO nuclear-powered rocket will begin under a new agreement between DARPA and Lockheed Martin. BWX Technologies also will play a role in the program by creating the nuclear fission reactor that will power the rocket engine.

Nuclear propulsion is a key capability on NASA’s roadmap to send astronauts to Mars. A nuclear-powered rocket would enable faster trips to the Red Planet, making missions less complex and safer for crew. This type of engine requires significantly less propellant than chemical rockets, so missions would be able to carry additional scientific equipment.

Participants in the teleconference include:

  • Dr. Anthony Calomino, space nuclear technologies portfolio manager, NASA
  • Dr. Tabitha Dodson, DRACO program manager, DARPA
  • Kirk Shireman, vice president, Lockheed Martin Lunar Exploration Campaigns
  • Joe Miller, president, BWXT Advanced Technologies

Media must RSVP no later than 12:30 p.m. EDT to outreach@darpa.mil to participate and ask questions.

To learn more about NASA’s work on the DRACO program, visit:

https://go.nasa.gov/3OvFAhS

Ben

I am the owner of Cerebral-overload.com and the Verizon Wireless Reviewer for Techburgh.com. My love of gadgets came from his lack of a Nintendo Game Boy when he was a child . I vowed from that day on to get his hands on as many tech products as possible. My approach to a review is to make it informative for the technofile while still making it understandable to everyone. Ben is a new voice in the tech industry and is looking to make a mark wherever he goes. When not reviewing products, I is also a 911 Telecommunicator just outside of Pittsburgh PA. Twitter: @gizmoboaks

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Back to top button