![]() ![]() ![]() In 2003, the nuclear space propulsion idea was revived by the Prometheus Project still under development. Nuclear propulsion systems for rockets have been studied by NASA since the early 1960’s under the Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Application (NERVA) program, subsequently cancelled in 1972. For this reason, a nuclear-powered engine has been suggested for the Mars mission. Use of conventional chemical rockets, like the Saturn V that took the Apollo team to the Moon, is not practical since the new spaceship would have to carry too much fuel, making it expensive and complicated to lift into orbit. One of the biggest technological hurdles we shall need to surpass is the development of a cost-effective and practical propulsion system for a Mars-bound spaceship. ![]() Reaching Mars will require huge investments in and development of many new technologies. The 1969 historic moon landing brought the hope that soon we will be able to visit other planets in our solar system, but almost 40 years later this dream is still just that. Space travel has always been mankind’s dream. Facing many hurdles along the way, this is the first time some of the real problems of building a real antimatter engine are being confronted. This revolutionary antimatter engine will require only a few milligrams of positrons to send a spaceship to Mars. A team of scientists is currently working with NASA to develop a new form of space propulsion technology based on positrons. ![]()
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