Nearterm 10X Aerogel Fission Fragment Rocket Will Lead to Interstellar Capability | NextBigFuture.com

A nuclear fission fragment rocket engine (FFRE) that is exponentially more propellent efficient than rocket engines currently used to power today’s space vehicles and could eventually achieve very high specific impulse (>100,000 sec) at high power density (>kW/kg). A new NASA NIAC (NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts) project is creating a buildable near term design for a nuclear fission fragment rocket. It would enable manned mission to Mars with 90 day travel times.