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There are a lot of things in space now that require the use of space tugs. Many companies are developing their space tugs. For several years there has been talk of a nuclear space tug. Are all these developments needed? Or whatever you need to do can be done with something like this https://www.skyrora.com/space-tug ?

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    $\begingroup$ As posed, this question is likely to get opinion-based answers, or even be closed because it is phrased to attract such answers. More in line with Stack Exchange would be to ask something like "What are the advantages and disadvantages to nuclear power for a space tug..." I would also be a bit more specific about what you see the space tug being for -- is it to work in LEO, or GEO or somewhere else? for instance $\endgroup$ Jan 5, 2021 at 13:28
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    $\begingroup$ Can you rewrite this so that fact-based answers can be written? "Are all these developments needed?" is not a useful question to ask in a free-market capitalism situation. Everybody competes, there are always duplicate development efforts, and sometimes not even the best one wins! $\endgroup$
    – uhoh
    Jan 5, 2021 at 14:50
  • $\begingroup$ I would ask this so that it asks for the state of the currently (2021) running or planned projects. That will be already likely okay. I also don't believe the specified stats of the company, what type of nuclear engine can 3.5kN thrust? It is surely not an ion engine, it must work thermodynamically, but so chemical means would be better. Maybe it could some like a "project orion", but space-only and small. $\endgroup$
    – peterh
    Jan 5, 2021 at 15:36
  • $\begingroup$ @peterh-ReinstateMonica Skyrora's tug is chemical, HTP/kerosene (with an added gimmick of making the fuel from plastic waste). $\endgroup$ Jan 5, 2021 at 16:42
  • $\begingroup$ @ChristopherJamesHuff Thanks! But, so I think it does not have a very much delta-v, particularly if it has to move things on orbit. $\endgroup$
    – peterh
    Jan 5, 2021 at 16:46

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