This revolutionary nuclear rocket might be what gets us to Mars

A new kind of space engine could change how we explore the solar system, and it’s powered by the same force that lights up the stars. A British startup called Pulsar Fusion is working on a nuclear rocket that uses fusion energy to propel spacecraft at unprecedented speeds. If successful, the company says it could cut the travel time to Mars exponentially.

Named Sunbird, the concept is still in development, but Pulsar plans to test its technology in orbit as early as 2027. The idea is simple in theory...