COMMENTARY / World

NASA’s $500 million rocket gamble is worth it

Investing in nuclear propulsion could give the U.S. a lead in the space race

NASA and the Department of Defense are collaborating with Lockheed Martin to build and test a nuclear rocket engine by 2027. | Getty Images

By Adam Minter
Bloomberg

Aug 21, 2023

What’s a government space agency like NASA supposed to do if private companies like SpaceX get all the spacefaring glory?

One option is to double down on investments in leading-edge advancements that may not pay off for years. Super-fast and maneuverable nuclear-powered rocket engines are one such technology. Last month, NASA, partnering with the Department of Defense, gave Lockheed Martin nearly $500 million to build and test one by 2027.

Without this collaboration, two things could be in jeopardy: NASA’s dream of putting boots down in more parts of the solar system and the U.S.’s upper hand in outer-space warfare.

NASA’s $500 million rocket gamble is worth it

Investing in nuclear propulsion could give the U.S. a lead in the space race

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