Here's an article that correctly in my opinion states that the hype over nuclear rockets is just that - hype & misunderstanding. NASA has always liked ion propulsion for deep space missions. Should NASA get its nuke program authorized and funded what we will see is work towards UNMANNED ion propulsion vehicles. Not H2 heating manned behemoths for missions to Mars. THere's even some doubt that this will even get a mention in Bush II SOU speech.

As to all the premature criticism I'd read here of O'Keefe as a "beancounter" and man with "no vision" read this..."O'Keefe is a great enthusiast for such nuclear deep-space propulsion systems and has advocated them constantly since taking office".

More vision and practicality than Goldin the incompetent.