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Faster and Safer Version of Zubrins Nuclear Salt Water Rocket- Practical Interstellar Travel for Humans

The article from NextBigFuture discusses a new concept for a nuclear salt-water rocket (NSWR) proposed by Robert Zubrin, which aims to make interstellar travel practical for humans. This version of the NSWR uses a safer and faster propulsion method by employing a nuclear salt-water solution where the nuclear reactions occur in a controlled manner. The rocket would expel a high-speed exhaust of hot plasma, providing thrust far superior to conventional chemical rockets. Key improvements include the use of a magnetic nozzle to direct the exhaust, reducing the risk of radiation exposure to the crew and spacecraft. The design also promises to significantly reduce travel times to destinations like Mars, potentially making trips in weeks rather than months, and could theoretically enable missions to the nearest stars within a human lifetime. The article highlights the potential for this technology to revolutionize space travel by making it faster, safer, and more accessible, although it acknowledges that significant engineering and safety challenges remain before such a system could be implemented.

Read the Full NextBigFuture Article at:
[ https://www.nextbigfuture.com/2025/03/faster-and-safer-version-of-zubrins-nuclear-salt-water-rocket-practical-interstellar-travel-for-humans.html ]