NASA's First Nuclear-Thermal Mars Expedition Study (1960)

As early as November 1957, about 20 engineers at Lewis Research Center, a National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics laboratory in Cleveland, Ohio, commenced research into nuclear, chemical, and electric (ion) rocket propulsion for interplanetary flight. When NASA opened its doors on 1 October 1958, Lewis became a NASA center. In April 1959, the Lewis researchers testified to Congress about their work and solicited funding for a focused Mars expedition study. Congress agreed to support the study - the first piloted nuclear Mars expedition study ever performed by a U.S. government agency.

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