NERVA, Nuclear thermal rocket engine research facility in Nevada, United States.
NERVA was a research facility for nuclear thermal rocket propulsion located at Jackass Flats in Nevada. The site included testing stands for reactor experiments, fuel analysis chambers, and equipment for measuring thermal performance.
The facility began operations in 1955 as a joint venture between NASA and the Atomic Energy Commission to develop engines for potential Mars missions. The program ended in 1973 following shifts in space exploration priorities and budget allocations.
Engineers at Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory and NASA's Lewis Research Center advanced nuclear propulsion technology through extensive experimentation and testing.
The test site lies in a remote desert area and remains closed to public access. Information about the program can be found in aerospace museums and NASA archives.
The engines used liquid hydrogen that first cooled the combustion chamber before flowing through the reactor core and heating to high temperatures. This method improved efficiency while protecting the structure from extreme heat.
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