DARPA's DRACO (Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations) program, supported by NASA, answered the 'if' for using nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) for space operations. Dark Fission is answering the 'when'.
DRACO: The Launchpad
The DRACO program marked a historic shift for the US government — it officially backed NTP as a viable solution for space mobility.
The program demonstrated that the technology is achievable by reaching these key milestones:
After the DRACO program created regulatory momentum and the technical foundation for NTP, the program was cancelled.
Dark Fission is proving NTP is possible, practical, and ready for real-world applications. We are building on decades of government groundwork to deliver the first commercially deployable NTP system, and we are not waiting for the next government program to green-light progress.
Our deployment timeline — like our NTP system — is designed to move fast: from prototype to flight demo within five years.
Here's how we do it:
Our propulsion system is engineered for reusability, modularity, and cost efficiency.
Our team includes nuclear licensing experts who know how to navigate DOE and NRC compliance, and spaceflight safety and launch protocols.
Our propulsion platform is designed to serve real market needs: lunar cargo loops, defense mobility, and deep space infrastructure support.
Our team works closely with launch providers, fuel suppliers, and mission integrators to ensure interoperability and flight readiness.
