Review of Solid Core Nuclear Rockets

This paper describes briefly the programs underway to develop solid-core reactor technology for nuclear rockets. Recent successful KIWI and NERVA reactors have shown great progress in the development of graphite reactor technology and provide a sound basis for the ultimate development of nuclear rocket engines for a variety of space missions. In addition to the reactor work, this discussion presents the efforts in the Nuclear Rocket Program for development of nonreactor components, systems studies and research, and full nuclear rocket engine systems tests (to be conducted in the next 2 or 3 years) to provide the overall technology required for application of solid-core nuclear rocket engines to missions.