NASA plans to send a working nuclear reactor toward Mars in late 2028. Space Reactor-1 Freedom will split uranium atoms in deep space to generate electricity for its engines — the first test of a technology NASA hopes will eventually help power human missions across the Solar System.

SR-1 Freedom would start a 20-kilowatt-electric HALEU reactor after Earth escape, power a Hall thruster and deliver three SkyFall helicopters at Mars in 2029. The post NASA plans to send a working nuclear reactor toward Mars in late 2028. Space Reactor-1 Freedom will split uranium atoms in deep space to generate electricity for its engines — the first test of a technology NASA hopes will…