NASA's '1st nuclear powered interplanetary spacecraft' will send Skyfall helicopters to Mars in 2028

image via Space.com

March 24, 2026, 5:08 PM

• •Skyfall mission will launch in 2028.
• •The mission will use Space Reactor-1 (SR-1) Freedom, a nuclear electric propulsion spacecraft.
• •NEP is key for future exploration, including missions to the outer solar system and moon base operations.
• •The helicopters will explore Mars and beam data back to Earth.

NASA is developing the Skyfall mission, which will send six helicopters to Mars in 2028. The mission will utilize a spacecraft called Space Reactor-1 (SR-1) Freedom, the first nuclear-powered interplanetary spacecraft. This marks a new era in space exploration, with nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) enabling missions beyond the Moon and to Mars and the outer solar system. The helicopters will explore potential landing sites for future crewed missions.

Read original article