What is the typical advantage in specific impulse ($I_{sp}$) that Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) systems offer over the most advanced chemical rockets?
Answer
NTP can achieve $I_{sp}$ values around 800 to 1,000 seconds, significantly higher than the chemical rocket top of around 450 seconds.
Specific impulse measures propellant effectiveness. While advanced chemical rockets reach about 450 seconds, NTP systems can achieve 800 to 1,000 seconds, effectively doubling the range or speed achievable for the same propellant mass.
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