A consortium led by Brussels-based multinational engineering company Tractebel has completed a comprehensive technology roadmap to equip Europe with advanced nuclear propulsion systems capable of undertaking long-duration missions, including manned expeditions to Mars.

The roadmap is part of the ‘RocketRoll’ project, which is funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) and aims to harness the potential of nuclear electric propulsion for space missions.

Thanks to its huge energy density, nuclear electric propulsion offers significant advantages in terms of speed, autonomy, and flexibility, Tractebel said.