The testing involved subjecting the fuel to hot hydrogen gas and six thermal cycles, reaching a peak temperature of 2600 Kelvin (4220°F). Each cycle included a 20-minute hold at peak temperature, demonstrating the fuel’s resistance to erosion and degradation under operational conditions. Additional tests assessed protective features to enhance fuel durability in a reactor-like environment.
Scott Forney, President of GA-EMS, highlighted the significance of the results. “This milestone confirms that our fuel can withstand the high temperatures and harsh conditions of an NTP reactor, bringing us closer to enabling safe and efficient propulsion for deep space and cislunar missions,” he said.
Dr. Christina Back, Vice President of Nuclear Technologies and Materials at GA-EMS, noted the novelty of their approach. “We are the first to use NASA’s Compact Fuel Element Environmental Test (CFEET) facility to demonstrate fuel survivability under these conditions. Testing has shown that our fuel can achieve performance two to three times more efficient than chemical rocket engines,” she explained.
Additional testing conducted at GA-EMS facilities verified fuel performance at temperatures up to 3000 Kelvin, further advancing its development for future missions. These efforts are part of a NASA contract managed by Battelle Energy Alliance at the Idaho National Laboratory.
Source: General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (press release).