NASA and General Atomics test nuclear fuel for future moon and Mars missions – Rockets propelled by nuclear reactors could slash the time it takes us to get to Mars.

From the article

>However, earlier this month, General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS), in collaboration with NASA, achieved an important milestone on the road to using NTP rockets. At NASA’s [Marshall Space Flight Center](https://www.space.com/marshall-space-flight-center.html) in Alabama, General Atomics tested a new [NTP reactor fuel](https://www.space.com/nuclear-rockets-could-travel-to-mars-in-half-time-designing-power-reactors-not-easy) to find out if the fuel could function in the extreme conditions of space.

>According to company leadership, the tests showed that the fuel can withstand the harsh conditions of spaceflight. “We’re very encouraged by the positive test results proving the fuel can survive these operational conditions, moving us closer to realizing the potential of safe, reliable nuclear thermal propulsion for cislunar and deep space missions,” General Atomics president Scott Forney said [in a statement](https://www.ga.com/ga-successfully-tests-nuclear-thermal-propulsion-reactor-fuel-at-nasa-marshall-space-flight-center).

Of all the things not happening this won’t happen the most.

Which is a shame, considering how NERVA was almost ready to go, and there are so many more outlandish ideas (like the [nuclear salt-water rocket](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_salt-water_rocket)).

Wow… so after more than 70 years, the fantasy of Hergé might finally become real: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Destination_Moon_(comics)

Even if this happens, the astronauts also need to be protected from radiation throughout the flight, otherwise they will arrive with 100% leukemia.