These nuclear space vessels, if they exist (you fail at linking), are the way to go in terms of long-distance rocket travel. The weight and expense of liquid rocket fuel is absurd.
Since we're on the topic, I think the first travelers to Mars should have a one-way ticket. It's just too costly to send people both ways at this point.
Also, with water being relatively abundant on Mars, it's not much of a stretch to think that fuel for the return trip could be manufactured on the planet.
Also, with water being relatively abundant on Mars, it's not much of a stretch to think that fuel for the return trip could be manufactured on the planet.
Eventually? Sure.
By 2020, when NASA is supposedly going to do this? I wouldn't count on it.
NASA: "Derrrrr whoops! I guess we just wasted $200 million because we can't tell the difference between metric and English measurement! Durpty blurpty bloo"
We should give them some bottle rockets to play with, and if nobody loses an eye, we'll talk.
I can see the headlines now: "Preliminary tests of the bottle rocket ignition system (a $1.00 lighter) are scheduled to begin in 2013, and cost $30 million"