Space Nuclear Ambitions Face A Defining Test

Space Nuclear Ambitions Face A Defining Test | Aviation Week

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Guy Norris
Vivienne Machi
June 30, 2026

NASA is repurposing the Advanced Electric Propulsion System to support its SR-1 nuclear reactor program. 

Credit: NASA Glenn Research Center

Driven by an urgent U.S. government mandate to develop space nuclear power and propulsion, NASA is leading a whole-of-government charge to accelerate the deployment of reactors on the Moon and in orbit. But after six decades of stop-start development since the experimental SNAP-10 reactor launched…

Guy Norris

Guy is a Senior Editor for Aviation Week, covering technology and propulsion. He is based in Colorado Springs.

Vivienne Machi

Vivienne Machi is the military space editor for Aviation Week based in Los Angeles.

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