Sierra Space: New Nuclear Propulsion System as Part of DARPA�s DRACO Program

[Chris Bergin]

Sierra Space Provides Integration Services for New Nuclear Propulsion System as Part of DARPA�s DRACO Program

Presser:

LOUISVILLE, Colo. (June 24, 2021) � Sierra Space, the new commercial space subsidiary of global aerospace and national security leader Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), will supply the propulsion components and integration services for a Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) system under a recent contract with General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS). GA-EMS and Sierra Space will develop and demonstrate an on-orbit NTP system for a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) program called Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO).

 

While the primary mission of DRACO is to enable fast transit time between Earth and the moon, the development of nuclear powered spacecraft propulsion is also expected to open up deep space exploration to humans.

 

�This technology is an essential component of the new space economy,� said Tom Crabb, vice president of Sierra Space�s Propulsion & Environmental Systems group. �Faster, more fuel efficient propulsion and transportation systems support greater awareness of the cislunar space domain and broader exploration of our solar system. Theoretically we should be able to reach other planets nearly twice as fast with nuclear propulsion, placing less strain on the human body and the environmental systems needed for space travel.�

 

NTP uses a nuclear reactor to heat propellant to extreme temperatures before expelling the hot propellant through a nozzle to produce thrust. Compared to conventional space propulsion technologies, NTP offers a high thrust-to-weight ratio around 10,000 times greater than electric propulsion and two-to-five times greater specific propellant efficiency than chemical propulsion.

 

�We are really excited about the team dynamic with GA-EMS,� said Dr. Marty Chiaverini, director of Propulsion Systems at Sierra Space. �The GA-EMS reactor is smaller and more technologically advanced and Sierra Space brings extensive experience in developing and fielding mechanical, electrical and thermal conditioning systems that work reliably in space, as well as proven performance with liquid hydrogen-based rocket engines and liquid hydrogen turbomachinery.�

 

The NTP design will utilize a liquid hydrogen propellant heated by a nuclear fission reactor to provide two times the amount of energy than the most advanced liquid propellant rocket engine. Over the next 18 months, the team will define the system requirements such as power, weight, interfaces and control, and perform some subsystem risk reduction. Follow-on phases are anticipated to complete the demonstration system, leading to a flight test in 2025.

 

About Sierra Space

Sierra Space is a new independent commercial space company, created from the space capabilities of Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC). Leveraging breakthrough technologies including the Dream Chaser� spaceplane and expandable LIFE� habitat, Sierra Space builds and delivers the future of space transportation, destinations and infrastructure for LEO commercialization. Its turnkey, space-as-a-service solutions are modular, scalable and reusable, opening space to new participants globally. With 30+ years of proven spaceflight heritage, Sierra Space has provided more than 4,000 systems, subsystems and components to customers worldwide, and participated in more than 500 missions to space, including to Mars. Sierra Space is a subsidiary of global aerospace and national security leader Sierra Nevada Corporation.

 

About Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC)

Owned by Chairwoman and President Eren Ozmen and CEO Fatih Ozmen, SNC is a trusted leader in engineering answers to the world's toughest challenges, through customer-focused technologies and best-of-breed integrations in aerospace and defense and national security space. For nearly 60 years, SNC technology has delivered state-of-the-art civil, military and commercial solutions. SNC has received numerous awards and distinctions innovation, customer satisfaction and leadership including being named a US Best Managed Company for two consecutive years. In spring 2021, SNC announced the transition of its Space Systems business area to an independent commercial space company, Sierra Space.

 

About General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) Group is a global leader in the research, design, and manufacture of first-of-a-kind electromagnetic and electric power generation systems. GA-EMS� history of research, development, and technology innovation has led to an expanding portfolio of specialized products and integrated system solutions supporting aviation, space systems and satellites, missile defense, power and energy, and processing and monitoring applications for critical defense, industrial, and commercial customers worldwide. For further information, visit www.ga.com/ems.

 

[TrevorMonty]

Cool. Looks nuclear propulsion is actually going to happen.

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[jstrotha0975]

Don't 99% of DARPA programs go on to be cancelled and never used?

[Hauerg]

Cool. Looks nuclear propulsion is actually going to happen.

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So far I see NOTHING there that makes me believe we will see a flight demo.

[Hauerg]

Don't 99% of DARPA programs go on to be cancelled and never used?

99%? No.
Most? Yes.

[VaBlue]

Don't 99% of DARPA programs go on to be cancelled and never used?

The programs themselves are often cancelled, yes.  But the technology they generate gets turned into other viable programs, so the efforts are pretty useful over the long haul.  I know (from experience working with DARPA programs) that translating something so new and raw as a new tech demonstration system into something commercially viable is a hard project.  And by commercially viable, I largely mean something the military can procure and use.  Most of the time, these systems are so new, and so different from existing production systems, that any large scale procurement quickly becomes a long development and integration slog costing a crapton of money.

[ZuluLima]

Cool. Looks nuclear propulsion is actually going to happen.

Did you read the article?  It isn't nuclear propulsion any more than what the Mars rovers have.  It's nuclear-powered mechanical propulsion.  It will still need a crap-load of super cold hydrogen fuel.

[TrevorMonty]

Nuclear heated H powered rocket which typically gives 900ISP. Called Nuclear Thermal Rocket which is still classed as nuclear proplusion according to wiki.


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[Kaputnik]

Cool. Looks nuclear propulsion is actually going to happen.

Did you read the article?  It isn't nuclear propulsion any more than what the Mars rovers have.  It's nuclear-powered mechanical propulsion.  It will still need a crap-load of super cold hydrogen fuel.

By your definition, what would constitute true nuclear propulsion? Pulsed detonation perhaps? I think most people would consider NTR (and indeed SEP) as forms of nuclear propulsion.

[TrevorMonty]

Don't 99% of DARPA programs go on to be cancelled and never used?

The programs themselves are often cancelled, yes.  But the technology they generate gets turned into other viable programs, so the efforts are pretty useful over the long haul.  I know (from experience working with DARPA programs) that translating something so new and raw as a new tech demonstration system into something commercially viable is a hard project.  And by commercially viable, I largely mean something the military can procure and use.  Most of the time, these systems are so new, and so different from existing production systems, that any large scale procurement quickly becomes a long development and integration slog costing a crapton of money.

Has higher chance of fly with SNC involved than Boeing, who'd walk away half way through.

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[Lee Jay]

Cool. Looks nuclear propulsion is actually going to happen.

Did you read the article?  It isn't nuclear propulsion any more than what the Mars rovers have.  It's nuclear-powered mechanical propulsion.  It will still need a crap-load of super cold hydrogen fuel.

No, it will need half a crap-load and no oxygen.

[TrevorMonty]

Google Nuclear Salt-Water Rocket for high performance but very nasty propulsion system. Scott Manley has video on it. Not thing to be built or test on earth, may have to wait for large lunar base.


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[Jim]

Don't 99% of DARPA programs go on to be cancelled and never used?

99%? No.
Most? Yes.

Less than most

[SoftwareDude]

Don't 99% of DARPA programs go on to be cancelled and never used?

99%? No.
Most? Yes.

Less than most

Some may appear to be canceled but go black instead.

[Jim]

Don't 99% of DARPA programs go on to be cancelled and never used?

99%? No.
Most? Yes.

Less than most

Some may appear to be canceled but go black instead.

not really