# Inside the Pentagon's New Nuclear Propulsion Bet

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-defense-tech-podcast-with-fexingo-government-contracting-aerospace-and-military-tech-7871833/inside-the-pentagon-s-new-nuclear-propulsion-bet
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-defense-tech-podcast-with-fexingo-government-contracting-aerospace-and-military-tech-7871833/inside-the-pentagon-s-new-nuclear-propulsion-bet.md
Podcast: [The Defense Tech Podcast with Fexingo: Government Contracting, Aerospace, and Military Tech](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-defense-tech-podcast-with-fexingo-government-contracting-aerospace-and-military-tech-7871833)
Published: 2026-06-16T20:03:49+00:00
Episode link: https://audio.fexingo.com/business/the-defense-tech-podcast/episode-0055.mp3
Audio file: https://audio.fexingo.com/business/the-defense-tech-podcast/episode-0055.mp3
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Duration seconds: 557

## Resource

Episode 55 examines the Pentagon's renewed investment in nuclear thermal propulsion for military spacecraft, a technology dormant since the 1970s. Lucas explains why the Defense Innovation Unit awarded a $34 million contract to Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation in May 2026, and how this fits into the broader push for rapid maneuver in cislunar space. Luna questions whether nuclear engines can escape the cost and safety problems that killed earlier programs. The hosts break down the specific engineering challenge—high-assay low-enriched uranium fuel—and what it means for established primes like Lockheed Martin and emerging startups. Market data shows LMT up 2.1% and the iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA) up 6.7% over five days, suggesting investor appetite for next-generation propulsion. The episode ties the propulsion program to the Space Force's 'dynamic space operations' doctrine and the need to protect satellites from growing anti-satellite threats. #NuclearThermalPropulsion #DefenseInnovationUnit #UltraSafeNuclearCorporation #SpaceForce #CislunarSpace #DynamicSpaceOperations #HighAssayLowEnrichedUranium #HALEU #LockheedMartin #LMT #SpacePropulsion #MilitarySpacecraft #Pentagon #Business #Technology #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #DefenseTech Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

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