Nuclear-thermal rocket

{
  "id": "MLC-T-IND-003950",
  "term": "Nuclear-thermal rocket",
  "field": "Industrial and trades",
  "definition": "A propulsion system that generates thrust by using a nuclear reactor to heat a fluid propellant, such as liquid hydrogen, to extreme temperatures before expelling it through a nozzle. Unlike chemical rockets that rely on combustion, this design transfers thermal energy directly from the reactor core to the propellant, creating a high-velocity exhaust. This process achieves a specific impulse (Isp) two to three times greater than that of high-performance chemical rockets, making it a candidate for future interplanetary missions.",
  "subject": "Aviation maintenance",
  "see_also": [
    "nuclear rocket",
    "nuclear-electric rocket"
  ],
  "translations": {
    "de": "Nuklear-thermische Rakete",
    "es": "cohete nuclear-térmico",
    "fr": "fusée nucléaire-thermique"
  },
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/industrial/nuclear-thermal-rocket/"
}