Project Timberwind

Project Timberwind aimed to develop <a href="/facts/Nuclear_thermal_rocket/p2uSHk3l">nuclear thermal rockets</a>. Initial funding by the <a href="/facts/Strategic_Defense_Initiative/qM0jrPXe">Strategic Defense Initiative</a> from 1987 through 1991 totaled $139 million (then-year). The proposed rocket was later expanded into a larger design after the project was transferred to the Air Force Space Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (SNTP) program.
The program underwent an audit in 1992 due to security concerns raised by <a href="/facts/Steven_Aftergood/F17yW75y">Steven Aftergood</a>. This <a href="/facts/Special_access_program/UfHeIs3o">highly classified program</a> provided the motivation for starting the <a href="/facts/Federation_of_American_Scientists/KNjX3s7U">FAS Government Secrecy project</a>. Convicted spy <a href="/facts/Stewart_Nozette/TIbNvd76">Stewart Nozette</a> was found to be on the master access list for the TIMBER WIND project. 
Advances in high-temperature metals, computer modelling and nuclear engineering in general resulted in dramatically improved performance. Whereas the <a href="/facts/NERVA/4JKRKCe5">NERVA</a> engine was projected to weigh about 6803 kg, the final SNTP offered just over 1/3 the thrust from an engine of only 1650 kg, while further improving the <a href="/facts/Specific_impulse/JKGgw2I4">specific impulse</a> from 930 to 1000 seconds.

Project Timberwind open-in-new

Project Timberwind