“Well, they are all chemical engines. We have no chemical engines that would work well for launching.” I mean that’s what chemical engines are for. You aren’t

“Well, they are all chemical engines. We have no chemical engines that would work well for launching.” I mean that’s what chemical engines are for. You aren’t launching off the ground with any of the electric based systems, and accidental radiation concerns have always hobbled nuclear engines. But, yes point taken on using them outside the atmosphere. However, they don’t improve our ability to launch manned missions greatly (at least not for the foreseeable decades).