The Nuclear Rocket Engine and Flight Program

A year ago at this time the curtain was ringing down on the last of three KIWI-A reactor experiments. The ROVER program had been aimed at reactor research and development, and a follow-on KIWI-B series of reactor ground tests was planned. The KIWI-A test results were most encouraging, and demonstrated certain key performance parameters as well as solutions to some critical design problems. Many of us were convinced a successful nuclear rocket engine could be built, but development of a safe, reliable flight propulsion system required that the resources of industry be applied to the many problems associated with the complete vehicle. We foresaw a saving in time if the planned KIWI-B reactor tests could be integrated into an engine development program. Several important decisions were required if the KIWI´s were to lead to anything that might fly at the earliest possible time.