American engineers from The University of Alabama at Huntsville and The Ohio State University are working on a groundbreaking project to revolutionize space travel by developing a rocket engine that utilizes liquid uranium fuel for centrifugal nuclear thermal rockets (CNTR). This innovative technology aims to provide twice the specific impulse compared to traditional chemical engines, enabling spacecraft to achieve higher speeds and travel longer distances. The project, part of the NASA DRACO initiative, focuses on nuclear thermal propulsion system (NTP) with a solid core to achieve a specific impulse of approximately 900 seconds, significantly higher than chemical engines but lower than most ion engines. In contrast, the CNTR using liquid uranium could achieve a specific impulse of about 1,500 seconds, promising unprecedented speeds for spacecraft while maintaining traction levels.