Electric Nuclear Propulsion

Mechanics 

Another form of nuclear propulsion is nuclear electric propulsion (NEP). Similar to thermal nuclear rockets, there is a reactor core. NEP works more similarly to nuclear power plants rather than thermal nuclear propulsion. The heat produced by the fission in the reactor core heats up a working fluid. The fluid is then expanded into turbines to generate electricity, ionizing a propellant, typically xenon. Through electromagnetic forces, the propellant is pushed out, producing thrust.

Safety Precaution 

NEP system will not be active in the Earth's atmosphere. Although NEP has an exceptionally high specific impulse, the system cannot produce high enough trust to reach the escape velocity. Traditional chemical propulsion can produce immense thrust, ensuring the rocket achieves the necessary velocity to overcome Earth's gravitational pull. More importantly, a combustion booster phase relies on extensively tested technology, lowering the possibility of cataphoric failure during the high-risk launch phase. 

Advantages 

According to recent NASA research conducted by Kurt A. Polzin, and Michael G. Houts NEP can reach specific impulses of 2,000 to 8,000 seconds, enabling NEP to be more reliable in long duration mission than both conventional and nuclear thermal propulsion. NEP generates electricity continuously which can be redirected to other functions of the spacecraft. For instance, some electricity could be reserve for the astronaut life support system, electronics, and scientific instruments.