Abstract: Nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) is the key propulsion technology for future deep space exploration. The development of nuclear electric propulsion system, nuclear fission reactor, and high power electric propulsion are introduced based on the investigation of nuclear electric propulsion space application. Then the achievements and the key technologies of nuclear electric propulsion system are summarized. Finally several suggestions are proposed for China’s nuclear electric propulsion technology development.

Key words: space nuclear electric propulsion, nuclear fission reactor, dynamic energy transfer, high power electric propulsion