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The USA's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has finalised an agreement with Lockheed Martin to begin work on the fabrication and design of an experimental nuclear thermal rocket and its engine. BWX Technologies, one of Lockheed Martin's partners in the effort, will develop the nuclear reactor and fabricate the HALEU fuel.
Lockheed is designing a spacecraft that can carry an experimental nuclear reactor engine and fuel developed by Virginia-based BWXT.
"NASA is looking to go to Mars with this system."
The space agency and DARPA will work with Lockheed Martin to build a vehicle that uses the power of the atom for space propulsion.
Lockheed Martin was awarded a contract by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency in partnership with NASA to build out an experimental nuclear-powered spacecraft that aims to make trips to the moon and Mars more efficient.