A nuclear electric rocket (more properly nuclear electric propulsion) is a type of spacecraft propulsion system where thermal energy from a nuclear reactor is converted to electrical energy, which is used to drive an ion thruster or other electrical spacecraft propulsion technology.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] The nuclear electric rocket terminology is slightly inconsistent, as technically the "rocket" part of the propulsion system is non-nuclear and could also be driven by solar panels. This is in contrast with a nuclear thermal rocket, which directly uses reactor heat to add energy to a working fluid, which is then expelled out of a rocket nozzle.
^David Buden (2011), Space Nuclear Fission Electric Power Systems: Book 3: Space Nuclear Propulsion and Power
^Joseph A. Angelo & David Buden (1985), Space Nuclear Power
^NASA/JPL/MSFC/UAH 12th Annual Advanced Space Propulsion Workshop (2001), The Safe Affordable Fission Engine (SAFE) Test Series)
^NASA (2010), Small Fission Power System Feasibility Study Final Report
^Patrick McClure & David Poston (2013), Design and Testing of Small Nuclear Reactors for Defense and Space Applications
^Mohamed S. El-Genk & Jean-Michel P. Tournier (2011), Uses of Liquid-Metal and Water Heat Pipes in Space Reactor Power Systems
^U.S. Atomic Energy Commission (1969), SNAP Nuclear Space Reactors
^Space.com (May 17, 2013), How Electric Spacecraft Could Fly NASA to Mars
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