Air Force could test advanced nuclear propulsion systems in space

The Air Force Secretary may create a pilot program for in-space demonstrations and related technology work. The program would cover advanced nuclear fission and fusion propulsion for national security missions in space. If the pilot goes ahead, it must reduce technical risk and guide future development requirements, including for possible missions beyond geosynchronous orbit and near the Moon. The Secretary must choose participants, emphasizing prior component and prototype work and an ability to demonstrate within a reasonable time. The program must set test goals, conduct needed ground tests, help arrange launches, collect and analyze flight data, and assess possible uses near the Moon. The Secretary may establish the pilot no later than 180 days after enactment and, if established, must conduct the demonstrations no later than three years after enactment.

The Air Force Secretary must send the congressional defense committees a plan and, if the pilot goes ahead, a report. The submissions would cover the optional nuclear propulsion pilot program. The plan must be submitted before the pilot begins. The report must describe activities and schedules, test goals, major technical risks and responses, and China's parallel work on advanced space propulsion. The report would be due no later than one year after enactment if the Secretary carries out the pilot.