The Sunbird concept is for the fusion-powered 'tugs' to be permanently based in space, able to dock on to spacecraft and propel them at high speed over vast distances. Pulsar Fusion says it foresees a compact nuclear fusion engine providing both thrust and electrical power for spacecraft, including as much as 2 MW of power on arrival at a destination.

Rosatom says that the average power of the engine, operating in pulse-periodic mode, reaches 300kW making it possible to accelerate the spacecraft to much higher speeds than conventional engines.

The partners studied the feasibility of an electric nuclear propulsion (NEP) system where the electricity produced by a nuclear power reactor powers electric ion thrusters - ionising a gas and accelerating the ions produced, which are then ejected to generate thrust.

All space missions depend on a power source to support systems for communications, life-support and science experiments. Nuclear power has the potential to dramatically increase the duration of future space missions and their scientific value.

The researchers say that, regardless of the purpose and scenario of the mission, a reliable source of energy is needed for successful exploration of the Moon.

The SBSP system would cost 33.4 billion euros to build and 31.1 billion euros to operate for 30 years, in case of medium technological advances.

Possible uses of the technology, beyond rockets, include establishing a permanent base on the moon, and the technology could be adapted to provide power in "challenging environments on Earth,

The DRACO program seeks to build a nuclear thermal rocket (NTR) engine and test it on orbit in Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26).

“Space nuclear propulsion technology shows great potential to facilitate the human exploration of Mars. However, significant acceleration in the pace of technology maturation is required if NASA and its partners are to complete this mission within the stated timeline.”

Russia’s nuclear tug, Nuklon, will be able to deliver 10 tons of cargo to the Moon in 200 days, according to documents from Roskosmos,