DRACO (Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations)
ID: draco
Summary
NASA/DARPA nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) demonstration program. $99M contract. Cancelled 2025.
Intelligence Analysis
DRACO — Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Demonstration
DRACO was a joint NASA/DARPA program to demonstrate Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) technology in space. The program represents the White Track's nuclear space propulsion efforts, directly succeeding SP-100 and the classified Timberwind program. The cancellation of DRACO and pivot to JETSON (NEP over NTP) reflects the recurring technology transition pattern in the three-track architecture.
Key Findings
- ▸ ### DRACO — Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Demonstration DRACO was a joint NASA/DARPA program to demonstrate Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) technology in space.
- ▸ The program represents the White Track's nuclear space propulsion efforts, directly succeeding SP-100 and the classified Timberwind program.
- ▸ The cancellation of DRACO and pivot to JETSON (NEP over NTP) reflects the recurring technology transition pattern in the three-track architecture.
Network Linkage
Connects to: NASA (lead agency), DARPA (co-sponsor), JETSON (successor), SP-100 (predecessor), Timberwind (classified predecessor), George Schmidt (architect). The DRACO → JETSON transition represents the pivot from nuclear thermal to nuclear electric propulsion.
Related Entities (4)
Network Graph
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View in Network GraphTimeline Mentions (3)
Timberwind Cancelled
Timberwind was cancelled in 1992, coinciding with the end of the Cold War and SDIO restructuring. The technology was later revived in modified form through DRACO and JETSON.
programDRACO Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Program Founded
DRACO (Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations), a joint NASA/DARPA nuclear thermal propulsion program, was founded in 2023. $99M contract awarded to Lockheed Martin. George Schmidt was a key architect.
programJETSON Nuclear Electric Propulsion Program Founded
JETSON, a DARPA nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) program with a $30M Lockheed Martin Skunk Works prime contract, was announced in 2024. It is the successor to the cancelled DRACO NTP program, representing a pivot from nuclear thermal to nuclear electric propulsion.
programGlossary Definition
Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations. A joint NASA/DARPA nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) program established in 2023 to demonstrate NTP technology in space. $99M contract to Lockheed Martin. Cancelled 2025, succeeded by JETSON.
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