To achieve manned missions to Mars, spacecraft will need to maximize fuel usage. Nuclear thermal propulsion is one technology actively on NASA’s radar. In a recent study, researchers from Missouri S&T and NASA Marshall used a surrogate material to explore the thermal properties of a cermet fuel that may be used in future nuclear propulsion systems.
Read MoreExtracting oxygen on Mars, bioactive glass toothpaste, and sustainable wind turbine disposal make Lisa’s list of top five favorite CTT posts from 2021.
Read MoreA new highly durable ceramic aerogel created by an international research collaboration can better withstand extreme temperatures than current ceramic aerogels—making it ideal insulation for future space missions.
Read MoreResearchers at Northwestern University have devised a technique to 3-D print soft rubber-like materials out of ink composed primarily of extraterrestrial soil. Using a biologically derived binder to hold the soil particles together, the team demonstrated that their unique method can 3-D print tools, building blocks, and other structures.
Read MoreNASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab is preparing to send CubeSats on their first interplanetary mission—a journey to Mars.
Read More