NASA nabs $125 million in funding to develop nuclear rocket propulsion

NASA has been awarded a sum of $125 million to develop nuclear thermal propulsion systems for its future spacecraft. First reported by Space.com , the award was given as part of a total $22.3 billion of funding for NASA in commerce, justice, and science (CJS) appropriations bill approved by the House Appropriations Committee this month. “The bill’s investment in nuclear thermal propulsion is critical as NASA works towards the design of a flight demonstration by 2024,” said Robert Aderholt, the U.S. Representative for Alabama’s fourth congressional district, during the subcommittee’s markup of the bill earlier in May. “The bill’s investment in nuclear thermal propulsion is critical as NASA works towards the design of a flight demonstration by 2024,” said Robert Aderholt, the U.S. Representative for Alabama’s fourth congressional district, during the subcommittee’s markup of the bill earlier in May. No nuclear thermal rocket has ever flown, although NASA has explored the possibil