This project that is developed by NASA, is a rocket engine that uses nuclear energy and LH2.

“Engine schematic drawing”

-The program was carried out in the 1960's, although the US Air Force and the Los Álamos Atomic Laboratory began studying it for using it in missiles in 1955.

-And just two years after the new NASA was created (1958), the program was going along another path too, that of long-mission space travel.

“NERVA II, complete” (PiP)

-This engine was intended to be used in stages of the Nova and Saturn space vehicles.

-And it was also planned for the Mars expedition project proposed by Von Braun in 1969, and for the Empire projects. Photos NASA.

-They used a mixed cycle, adding LOX in the Rita C. The thrust was variable according to the size of the engine and according to the project status.

-The NERVA-2 has a thrust of 867 kN.

From Appendix 6: One of the first NERVAs, the XE-Prime, was tested in the desert giving 55,000 pounds of thrust. It used liquid hydrogen heated by a nuclear reactor.

"The NERVA in the desert" (PiP)

-Although this would be its normal position, the tests were carried out with an inverted engine, that is, with the nozzle upwards.