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The MARVL system will help accelerate flights to Mars by enabling the assembly of radiators in space using robots.
NASA is actively working on creating a nuclear electric engine that will reduce the flight time to Mars by 2-3 times. One of the key tasks was the development of a MARVL radiator system for effective heat dissipation. This system will consist of modular components that can be assembled in space using robots.
Nuclear electric motors use a reactor to generate electricity, which then ionizes and accelerates gases, creating thrust. However, the reactor produces a huge amount of heat that must be dissipated. Traditional radiators take up too much space, making them difficult to start.
The MARVL system solves this problem. Radiator panels, equivalent in area to a football field, would be assembled from separate modules, making them easier to transport. A liquid metal coolant, such as an alloy of sodium and potassium, would move through these panels, effectively removing heat.
Rendering showing the various components of a fully assembled nuclear electric propulsion system. Source: NASA
The project has already received funding, and NASA scientists plan to create a working prototype on a reduced scale within two years, followed by a ground-based demonstration of the system.
