me_too_999 t1_j5s3x9q wrote
Reply to comment by ttkciar in NASA to test nuclear thermal rocket engine for the first time in 50 years | CNN by dem676
They stopped it because of an accident that caused super criticality, a massive radiation release.
Material, and nuclear science wasn't quite up to the task 50 years ago.
Spez, the deaths were a separate incident.
Correct_Inspection25 t1_j5s4wbg wrote
Got a reference? I think the early 1960s JSLAMM engine may have been canceled for that but the late 60s early 70s NERVA space test was axed by the Nixon Administration as part of budget cuts and descoping of the Saturn replacement down to just the shuttle/LEO. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/NERVA
Adeldor t1_j5s88se wrote
I'm unaware of any such accident with NERVA NTRs, but very much open to correction. Might you provide a reference?
me_too_999 t1_j5sex5v wrote
Looks like the deaths were from a separate incident, but here's a link I found.
Enorats t1_j5slki0 wrote
That.. sort of sounds like the plot to an alternate history novel I read years ago, not the actual history.
phasechanges t1_j5uji5k wrote
That was one of the plot points of "Voyage" by Stephen Baxter.
Enorats t1_j5up13e wrote
Yup. That was the one. The engine killed a few characters off after an accident during a test.
ttkciar t1_j5vzfc9 wrote
Pretty sure they stopped it because Soviet and American diplomats agreed that would ease international tensions, without really understanding what they were talking about.
me_too_999 t1_j5wok81 wrote
I still don't see fission powered jets at a commercial airport any time soon.
Maybe on Mars, in fact a fission rocket would good for 2nd stage payloads to the outer planets.
The future is fusion, and probably won't be any nuclear powered craft until then.
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