That Time NASA Tried to Make a Nuclear-Powered Rocket

This month's Pin of the Month is dedicated to the NERVA program. During the Space Race, NASA designed and tested a rocket engine fueled in part by nuclear fission. And it went so well (minus the funding cuts) that the prospect of a nuclear-powered rocket keeps circling back around.

Pre-order your NERVA pin all this month here: https://dftba.com/scishow

Hosted by: Rose Bear Don't Walk (she/her)
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Sources:
https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-darpa-will-test-nuclear-engine-for-future-mars-missions
https://www1.grc.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/NERVA-Nuclear-Rocket-Program-1965.pdf [PDF]
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19910017902/
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19680011933/
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19670016843/
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19910015865/
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19920001875/
https://nuke.fas.org/space/la-10062.pdf [PDF]
https://www1.grc.nasa.gov/historic-facilities/rockets-systems-area/7911-2/
https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/4673160 [PDF]
https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/AD0731963.pdf [PDF]
http://archive.gao.gov/t2pbat6/147698.pdf [PDF]
https://sgp.fas.org/othergov/doe/lanl/la-ur-85-2442.pdf [PDF]
https://nuke.fas.org/space/review.pdf [PDF]
https://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1197_web.pdf [PDF]
https://history.nasa.gov/SP-4407/vol1/chapter3-1.pdf [PDF]
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0149197016300300

Image Sources:
https://images.nasa.gov/details/GRC-1961-C-58453
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Technicians_prepare_a_Kiwi_B-1_nozzle_for_testing_GRC-1964-C-69681.jpg
https://images.nasa.gov/details/9255078
https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/video/built-their-basketball-career-from-the-ground-up-stock-footage/1217130181?adppopup=true
https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/launch-of-space-shuttle-into-the-space-royalty-free-image/1191352160?phrase=space%20shuttle%20engine&adppopup=true
https://images.nasa.gov/details/ksc_072605_rtf_launch
https://images.nasa.gov/details/SLS%20Resource%20Reel%2007-19-18
https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/blue-glowing-interstellar-plasma-field-in-deep-royalty-free-image/1084903562?phrase=nuclear%20fission&adppopup=true
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kiwi-A_Prime_Atomic_Reactor_-_GPN-2002-000141.jpg
https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/galactic-trash-orbiting-earth-royalty-free-image/1125629273?phrase=broken%20piece&adppopup=true
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nuclear_Shuttle_NERVA_engine.jpg
https://images.nasa.gov/details/9902020
https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/video/fire-cloud-bursting-from-black-background-stock-footage/636067906?adppopup=true
https://images.nasa.gov/details/S69-39593
https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/heo/scan/images/history/August2012_2.html
https://www.nasa.gov/jpl/dawn/pia18922
https://images.nasa.gov/details/9902047