Lockheed Martin Selected to Develop Nuclear-Powered Spacecraft
DENVER, July 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has won a contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to develop and demonstrate a nuclear-powered spacecraft under a project called Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO). The project will represent a rapid advancement in propulsion technology to benefit exploration and national defense.
- DENVER, July 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has won a contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to develop and demonstrate a nuclear-powered spacecraft under a project called Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO).
- Reducing transit time is vital for human missions to Mars to limit a crew's exposure to radiation," said Kirk Shireman, vice president of Lunar Exploration Campaigns at Lockheed Martin Space.
- Lockheed Martin has partnered with BWX Technologies to develop the nuclear reactor and produce the HALEU fuel.
- Lockheed Martin has also invested heavily in cryogenic hydrogen storage and transfer.