Uploaded June 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Explore the transformative potential of nuclear propulsion in accelerating human missions to Mars in this insightful panel from the 2025 Humans to the Moon and Mars Summit (H2M2), held at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Moderated by Dr. Bhavya Lal, former NASA Associate Administrator for Technology, Policy, and Strategy, the discussion brings together leading experts from NASA, the Department of Energy, and the private sector to examine the advancements, challenges, and strategic considerations of nuclear thermal and electric propulsion systems.
Panelists:
Dr. Fred Kennedy – CEO, Dark Fission
Insights into innovative approaches to nuclear propulsion from the private sector.
Dr. Amy Roma – Partner, Hogan Lovells
Expertise in legal and policy frameworks governing nuclear technologies in space.
Dr. Kurt Polzin – Chief Engineer, Space Nuclear Propulsion Project, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
Leading NASA's efforts in developing nuclear propulsion systems for deep space missions.
Dr. Rian Bahran – Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Reactors, U.S. Department of Energy
Overseeing DOE's role in advancing nuclear reactor technologies for space applications.
Key Topics:
The advantages of nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) and nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) in reducing transit times to Mars.
Recent developments in fuel technology and reactor design, including collaborations between NASA and DOE.
Regulatory and safety considerations for deploying nuclear systems in space.
The role of public-private partnerships in advancing nuclear propulsion technologies.
Additional Resources:
Explore Mars Summit Details: exploremars.org/summit
NASA's Space Nuclear Propulsion Overview: nasa.gov/space-technology-mission-directorate/tdm/space-nuclear-propulsion
NASA
Stay Connected:
Subscribe for more insights from leading experts in space exploration and propulsion technologies.
Follow Explore Mars, Inc. on social media:
Twitter: @ExploreMars
Facebook: Explore Mars
Instagram: @exploremars
LinkedIn: Explore Mars Inc.
#NuclearPropulsion #MarsMission #H2M2 #ExploreMars #SpaceNuclearTechnology #NASA #DOE #DeepSpaceExploration
Explore the transformative potential of nuclear propulsion in accelerating human missions to Mars in this insightful panel from the 2025 Humans to the Moon and Mars Summit (H2M2), held at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Moderated by Dr. Bhavya Lal, former NASA Associate Administrator for Technology, Policy, and Strategy, the discussion brings together leading experts from NASA, the Department of Energy, and the private sector to examine the advancements, challenges, and strategic considerations of nuclear thermal and electric propulsion systems.
Panelists:
Dr. Fred Kennedy – CEO, Dark Fission
Insights into innovative approaches to nuclear propulsion from the private sector.
Dr. Amy Roma – Partner, Hogan Lovells
Expertise in legal and policy frameworks governing nuclear technologies in space.
Dr. Kurt Polzin – Chief Engineer, Space Nuclear Propulsion Project, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
Leading NASA's efforts in developing nuclear propulsion systems for deep space missions.
Dr. Rian Bahran – Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Reactors, U.S. Department of Energy
Overseeing DOE's role in advancing nuclear reactor technologies for space applications.
Key Topics:
The advantages of nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) and nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) in reducing transit times to Mars.
Recent developments in fuel technology and reactor design, including collaborations between NASA and DOE.
Regulatory and safety considerations for deploying nuclear systems in space.
The role of public-private partnerships in advancing nuclear propulsion technologies.
Additional Resources:
Explore Mars Summit Details: exploremars.org/summit
NASA's Space Nuclear Propulsion Overview: nasa.gov/space-technology-mission-directorate/tdm/space-nuclear-propulsion
NASA
Stay Connected:
Subscribe for more insights from leading experts in space exploration and propulsion technologies.
Follow Explore Mars, Inc. on social media:
Twitter: @ExploreMars
Facebook: Explore Mars
Instagram: @exploremars
LinkedIn: Explore Mars Inc.
#NuclearPropulsion #MarsMission #H2M2 #ExploreMars #SpaceNuclearTechnology #NASA #DOE #DeepSpaceExploration
