More details in a poster here[0], a video presentation[1], and a paper[2]. The basic idea is to more efficiently use fission energy. When atoms split in fissio

More details in a poster here[0], a video presentation[1], and a paper[2]. The basic idea is to more efficiently use fission energy. When atoms split in fission, they fly apart VERY FAST. If these could be directed out, fission energy could more or less directly be converted to thrust rather than being inefficiently converted to heat and then thrust. This higher efficiency could result in smaller faster spacecraft, the proposed reference design for carrying a capsule to Mars in 90 days is surprisingly small[0]. It also has a combination of relatively high thrust(80 KN) and Isp(2000s). Now that's if it works. Fission fragment rockets have been very challenging to make, because it's really hard to actually get the fast moving fragments out and direct them. The fission fuel has to be very thin, so the fragments can escape and high magnetic fields need to be used to direct them out. But so far this approach to fission fragment rockets appears relatively promising. [0]https://custom.cvent.com/216E523D934443CA9F514B796474A210/files/c8e77fb75b31466087197f64fc41e02c.pdf https://custom.cvent.com/216E523D934443CA9F514B796474A210/fi... [1]https://cvent-production-cs-creative-prod-us-east-1.s3.amazonaws.com/Media/NRESSDC001/XZNC3FS8HZL/WeedVideo.mp4 https://cvent-production-cs-creative-prod-us-east-1.s3.amazo... [2]https://www.researchgate.net/publication/373793565_Radiation_characteristics_of_an_aerogel-supported_fission_fragment_rocket_engine_for_crewed_interplanetary_missions https://www.researchgate.net/publication/373793565_Radiation...