| UPDATED: 13:53, Tue, Jan 12, 2021 Link copied Sign up for FREE for the biggest new releases, reviews and tech hacks SUBSCRIBE Invalid email When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. The UK Space Agency and Rolls-Royce have signed a research contract that will explore the feasibility of nuclear propulsion in powering deep space exploration and crewed missions to Mars. Nuclear power has long been considered a potential replacement for chemical propulsion, which has served human interests in space from Apollo 11 to the building of the International Space Station (ISS). But chemical propulsion, which burns rocket fuel and oxidiser to create thrust, is costly and inefficient.