Company claims their nuclear rocket can cut mission time to Mars in half

By Dean Murray

A British company says they developed a secret nuclear rocket that could cut in half the mission times to Mars.

Pulsar Fusion believes the Sunbird fusion-powered propulsion system would transform interplanetary travel by reaching the Red Planet in under six months.

The Bletchley-based firm says they are planning in-orbit testing, with components of the power system set for demonstration later this year. They aim to achieve nuclear fusion in space as early as 2027.

The craft would attach to large space vehicles and tow them vast distances. There are plans for Sunbird to transport 1000–2000 kg of commercial cargo, including habitats, rovers, and supplies, to Mars orbit, where it would dock with a pre-launched spacecraft.

Richard Dinan, CEO of Pulsar Fusion, unveiling the system at Space-Comm EXPO at ExCeL London this month, says the company developed Sunbird in complete secrecy over the past decade.

He said: "I expect that, as of today, Sunbird is already being closely analyzed by our global competitors. Pulsar has built a reputation for delivering real technology—not just concepts. We have recently commissioned not one, but two of the largest space propulsion testing chambers in the UK, if not all of Europe.

"Pulsar is now an international space propulsion testing powerhouse, and we have ambitious plans to expand rapidly. We actively welcome visits from appropriate partners and prospective international clients and look forward to sharing more exciting developments we have in the pipeline."

The company also claims the technology could enable four-year journeys to Pluto.

They add: "By maintaining a fleet of heavily shielded, fusion-powered spacecraft stationed in orbit, the Sunbird concept offers a scalable solution to support interplanetary missions for international partners."