images

Manned mission to Mars - Artist view

by

Nasa/P.Rawlings/Novapix

Reference

e-exm01-00003

Date

2006-12-07

A nuclear thermal rocket fires upon arrival in the vicinity of Mars to insert the transfer vehicle into orbit. Nuclear propulsion can shorten interplanetary trip times and can reduce the mass launched from Earth. As the primary transfer propulsion system, the spaecraft's reactor would remain inactive until departure from Earth orbit.