Hardware Based Technology Assessment in Support of Near-Term Space Fission Missions

Fission technology can enable rapid, affordable access to any point in the solar system. If fission propulsion systems are to be developed to their full potential; however, near‐term customers must be identified and initial fission systems successfully developed, launched, and utilized. Successful utilization will most likely occur if frequent, significant hardware‐based milestones can be achieved throughout the program. Achieving these milestones will depend on the capability to perform highly realistic non‐nuclear testing of nuclear systems. This paper discusses ongoing and potential research that could help achieve these milestones.