61 lines
No EOL
2.7 KiB
Markdown
61 lines
No EOL
2.7 KiB
Markdown
---
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type: entity
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entity_type: protocol
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name: SR-1 Freedom
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parent_org: NASA
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domain: space-development
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secondary_domains: [energy]
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status: active
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announced: 2026-03-24
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launch_date: 2028-12
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supports:
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- Nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) provides higher efficiency for uncrewed cargo missions while nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) remains superior for crewed time-constrained missions
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- Repurposing sunk-cost hardware for new missions can accelerate technology deployment timelines by 5-10 years compared to clean-sheet programs
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reweave_edges:
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- Nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) provides higher efficiency for uncrewed cargo missions while nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) remains superior for crewed time-constrained missions|supports|2026-04-17
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- Repurposing sunk-cost hardware for new missions can accelerate technology deployment timelines by 5-10 years compared to clean-sheet programs|supports|2026-04-17
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---
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# SR-1 Freedom
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**Type:** Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP) spacecraft
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**Mission:** Mars transit demonstration
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**Launch:** December 2028
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**Status:** Active development
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## Overview
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SR-1 Freedom is NASA's first nuclear-powered interplanetary spacecraft, announced March 24, 2026 alongside Project Ignition. It repurposes Gateway's Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) as the propulsion system for a nuclear electric spacecraft.
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## Technical Architecture
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**Propulsion:** Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP)
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- Ion thrusters powered by fission reactor
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- Distinct from Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP)
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- Uses Gateway PPE (already built) as propulsion module
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**Mission Profile:**
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- Launch: December 2028
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- Destination: Mars transit demonstration
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- Objective: Validate NEP for deep-space operations
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## Strategic Context
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SR-1 Freedom represents NASA's pivot to nuclear propulsion for interplanetary missions. The repurposing of Gateway's PPE (following Gateway's cancellation) demonstrates adaptive reuse of existing hardware to accelerate nuclear propulsion development.
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**NEP vs NTP distinction:** Nuclear Electric Propulsion (ion thrusters + reactor) provides high specific impulse but low thrust, suitable for cargo missions. This is architecturally different from Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (heated propellant) which provides higher thrust for crewed missions.
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## Timeline
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- **2026-03-24** — SR-1 Freedom announced; Gateway PPE repurposed as propulsion module
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- **2028-12** — Scheduled launch to Mars
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## Related Programs
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- [[project-ignition]] — Lunar surface program announced simultaneously
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- [[gateway]] — Cancelled program whose PPE module was repurposed
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## Sources
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- Singularity Hub: "NASA Unveils $20B Moon Base Plan and Nuclear Spacecraft for Mars" (March 27, 2026)
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- NASA.gov: "NASA Unveils Initiatives to Achieve America's National Space Policy" (March 24, 2026) |