Ion Propulsion planned for Jupiter Moon Probe

[Jael]

Source:

http://www.lanl.gov/worldview/news/r...e/04-005.shtml

LOS ALAMOS, N.M., Feb. 10, 2004 -- A proposed U.S. mission to investigate three ice-covered moons of Jupiter will demand fast-paced research, fabrication and realistic non-nuclear testing of a prototype nuclear reactor within two years, says a Los Alamos National Laboratory scientist.

The roots of this build and test effort have been under way at Los Alamos since the mid-1990s, said David Poston, leader of the Space Fission Power Team in Los Alamos' Nuclear Design and Risk Analysis Group.

NASA proposes using use electrical ion propulsion powered by a nuclear reactor for its Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter, an element of Project Prometheus, which is scheduled for launch after 2011. However, the United States hasn't flown a space fission system since 1965.

Sounds like a step in the right direction. Probes will be faster, carry a bigger payload, be able to carry more instruments.

[venator]

I very much agree, thanks for the nice post Jael. With luck we will both hear from you again soon and that the project continues to be a success.