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Such atomic-driven energy systems, said Ed Weiler, NASA's associate administrator for science, would eventually free NASA from a dependance on chemical rockets,

What they need is a launch system that depends on atomic energy.

The title is misleading. Nuclear-electric is a far cry from nuclear rockets.

However small, it is very good to see NASA debating in the arena of the possible once again. NASA is the embodiment of our collective imagination in many ways, and their last really big idea, the space shuttle, has been a resounding success. I say go for it. The amount of money they want is small, the benefit derived could be enormous. We are not the greatest nation on Earth for nothing. Dream on ye sons of freedom, dream on.

Damn, I remember this from when I was a kid. Back in the 50's and early 60's they were working on an atomic rocket.

The more things change the more they remain the same.. well.. almost :-)

SpaceRef - Future Technology - Nuclear Propulsion

Antiproton-catalyzed micro-fusion and fusion propulsion - This page by the Advanced Propulsion Technology Group at NASA JPL deals with inertial-confinement antiproton-catalyzed micro-fission/fusion nuclear (ICAN) propulsion concept under development at Pennsylvania State University (PSU)
Gas core nuclear rockets - Short of using antimatter, the highest reactor core temperature in a nuclear rocket can be achieved by using gaseous fissionable material. In the gas-core rocket, radiant energy is transferred from a high-temperature fissioning plasma to a hydrogen propellant. Advanced Propulsion Technology Group at NASA JPL.
High-Temperature Nuclear Reactors for Space Applications - Institute of Physics and Power Engineering (IPPE) at the State Research Center of Russian Federation is one of the primary developers of compact, efficient reactors for space nuclear power systems which use direct conversion of nuclear heat into electrical energy. Between 1970-1984 seven power systems with reactors of this type were tested on the ground at the special IPPE test site. "TOPAZ" units were tested twice in space as an electric power source for the "COSMOS" satellites. Thermionic fuel elements (TFE's) for "TOPAZ" reactors were designed, fabricated, and in-pile tested in the IPPE.
History of the US nuclear space program - An overview of nuclear power and propulsion research conducted by the US.
Hybrid nuclear-thermal and nuclear-electric propulsion - This website by the Advanced Propulsion Technology Group at NASA JPL contains a detailed introduction to hybrid nuclear-thermal and nuclear-electric propulsion.
Inertial confinement fusion (ICF) propulsion - This website by the Advanced Propulsion Technology Group at NASA JPL contains a detailed introduction to inertial confinement fusion propulsion.
Liquid core nuclear rockets - This website by the Advanced Propulsion Technology Group at NASA JPL contains a detailed introduction to liquid core nuclear rockets.
LOX-augmented nuclear thermal rockets (LANTR) - This website by the Advanced Propulsion Technology Group at NASA JPL contains a detailed introduction to LOX-augmented nuclear thermal rockets.
Magnetic confinement fusion (MCF) propulsion - A magnetic confinement fusion (MCF) reactor confines the fusion plasma with strong electromagnetic fields. Advanced Propulsion Technology Group at NASA JPL.
Nerva Rocket - This page at NASA JPL contains some high resolution photographs and schematics of the NERVA nuclear propulsion system.
Nuclear Propulsion Introduction - This website by the Advanced Propulsion Technology Group at NASA JPL contains a detailed introduction to various forms of nuclear propulsion under study at NASA and other research agencies.
ORION Nuclear Pulse Vehicle - This site contains some drawings and model photographs that illustrate several design concepts for the Orion nuclear pulse powered space vehicle proposed inthe late 1950's.
Orion nuclear spaceship - A description of the concept for starship propulsion that would utilize a regular series of small nuclear explosions.
Particle bed nuclear rockets - This website by the Advanced Propulsion Technology Group at NASA JPL contains a detailed introduction to the Particle bed nuclear rocket. In the particle-bed (fluidized-bed, dust-bed, or rotating-bed) reactor, the nuclear fuel is in the form of a particulate bed through which the working fluid is pumped.
Radioisotope "poodle" thruster - This website by the Advanced Propulsion Technology Group at NASA JPL contains a detailed introduction to the radioisotope "poodle" thruster. The "Poodle" thruster concept is derived from radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) technology. Basically, the thermoelectric converters from the RTG are removed, and energy from the RTG nuclear fuel capsules is used to heat a propellant "working fluid," such as hydrogen, water, helium, etc., to temperatures of 1500 to 2000 degrees C and then expand the hot gas through a nozzle.
Solid core nuclear rockets - This website by the Advanced Propulsion Technology Group at NASA JPL contains a detailed introduction to solid core nuclear rockets.

from 2002.