Chinesische Wissenschaftler behaupten einen Durchbruch mit einem Kernspaltungsmotor für Raumfahrzeuge, der die Reisezeit zum Mars auf sechs Wochen verkürzen wird.

Submission Statement

>>These tests confirmed, it is claimed, that key technological hurdles have been overcome to allow the reactor to be sent to space

Lockheed Martin [in the US is also working](https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/lockheed-martin-nasa-pentagon-nuclear-rocket-mars) on similar tech.

Interestingly, they refer to this as ‘expandable’ to the size of a 20-storey building, yet capable of being launched on a rocket. Presumably, most of it will be some scaffolding or lattice-type structure for the heat-sink elements.

If the Chinese or Lockheed Martin researchers pull this off, it’s bye-bye to the idea of SpaceX’s Starship for Earth-Mars travel.

Considering how long nuclear fission reactors have been powering submarines and large ships (that started in the 1950’s) it’s strange it’s taken them this long to get to space, where they have such obvious advantages over chemical rockets. There’s no indication when this Chinese reactor will be tested in space though.

I’ll believe it when I see it fly. Various countries have been trying this since the 70s without success.

Not to mention that the first time one of these has an accident its going to irradiate a large area of its owning nation. Or worse, another nation, which could easily be taken as an act of war. And before you know it everyone is shooting these things down as a matter of policy. Especially with China’s track record on safety.