Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Space
  • /
  • General Atomics completes NTP tests at NASA's MSFC

Space

General Atomics completes NTP tests at NASA's MSFC

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) has successfully executed several significant high-impact tests at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) to advance the development of Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) reactor technology for rapid, agile cislunar transportation and deep space missions, including human missions to Mars.

Image courtesy General Atomics

Tests were conducted in collaboration with NASA to verify the ability of the GA-EMS design-specific nuclear fuel to meet the high-performance specifications required to withstand the extreme operational conditions expected in space.

Scott Forney, president of GA-EMS, said: “The recent testing results represent a critical milestone in the successful demonstration of fuel design for NTP reactors. Fuel must survive extremely high temperatures and the hot hydrogen gas environment that an NTP reactor operating in space would typically encounter.

Advertisement
ODU RT

"We’re very encouraged by the positive test results proving the fuel can survive these operational conditions, moving us closer to realising the potential of safe, reliable nuclear thermal propulsion for cislunar and deep space missions.”

GA-EMS executed several high-impact tests at NASA’s MSFC in Huntsville, Alabama. The nuclear fuel was tested with hot hydrogen flow through the samples and subjected to six thermal cycles that rapidly ramped-up to a peak temperature of 2600 K (Kelvin) or 4220° Fahrenheit.

Each cycle included a 20-minute hold at peak performance to demonstrate the effectiveness of shielding the fuel material from erosion and degradation by the hot hydrogen. Additional tests were performed with varying protective features to provide further data on how different material enhancements improve performance under reactor-like conditions.

Advertisement
ODU RT

Dr Christina Back, vice president of GA-EMS Nuclear Technologies and Materials, said: “To the best of our knowledge, we are the first company to use the compact fuel element environmental test (CFEET) facility at NASA MSFC to successfully test and demonstrate the survivability of fuel after thermal cycling in hydrogen representative temperatures and ramp rates.

“We’ve also conducted tests in a non-hydrogen environment at our GA-EMS laboratory, which confirmed the fuel performed exceptionally well at temperatures up to 3000 K, which would enable the NTP system to be two-to-three times more efficient than conventional chemical rocket engines. We are excited to continue our collaboration with NASA as we mature and test the fuel to meet the performance requirements for future cislunar and Mars mission architectures.”

GA-EMS conducted testing for NASA under a contract managed by Battelle Energy Alliance (BEA) – Idaho National Lab (INL).

Advertisement
General Atomics LB
UK and Sweden join the LOFAR ERIC

Space

UK and Sweden join the LOFAR ERIC

2 May 2025

The UK, along with Sweden, has joined the Low Frequency Array (LOFAR) radio telescope project - governed by the LOFAR European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC) - as full members after many years as collaborative partners.

Fredo the Unstronaut launched

Space

Fredo the Unstronaut launched

2 May 2025

SaxaVord Spaceport has officially launched 'Fredo the Unstronaut' today, an animated character-driven educational initiative designed to inspire the next generation of space enthusiasts.

Shipley UK and Kahootz partner to enhance opportunity capture

Aerospace Defence Security Space

Shipley UK and Kahootz partner to enhance opportunity capture

1 May 2025

Kahootz and Shipley UK have announced a strategic partnership to enhance opportunity capture and bid management capabilities.

Semiconductor facility launches in Southampton

Aerospace Defence Security Space Events

Semiconductor facility launches in Southampton

1 May 2025

A new facility using cutting edge electron beam technology to build the next generation of semiconductor chips - and the first of its kind in Europe - was opened yesterday at the University of Southampton by Science Minister Lord Vallance.

Advertisement
ODU RT
BAE Systems and NEXT Semiconductor Technologies to advance space ready chips

Space

BAE Systems and NEXT Semiconductor Technologies to advance space ready chips

1 May 2025

NEXT Semiconductor Technologies is collaborating with BAE Systems to accelerate the insertion of its latest ultra-wideband antenna processor units (APUs) into high-performing radiation-hardened electronic subsystems to support future space missions.

British-built Biomass satellite launched

Space

British-built Biomass satellite launched

29 April 2025

The Biomass Earth observation satellite developed by British academics and engineers - set to become the first in the world to measure the condition of the Earth's forests in 3D from space - launched today.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025