Northwestern postdoctoral researcher George Paul Winstone and collaborators have been awarded a subcontract as part of a The NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Phase II study led by Jim Bickford of Draper. The project, called TFINER (Thin-Film Isotope Nuclear Engine Rocket) seeks to develop a revolutionary propulsion system using thin films of nuclear material to generate continuous thrust — a potential game-changer for deep-space exploration.
NIAC supports cutting-edge ideas that have the potential to revolutionize future space missions. By supporting breakthrough technologies and bold aerospace concepts, the program aims to push the boundaries of what’s possible — while also partnering with American innovators and entrepreneurs to help bring these visionary ideas to life.
Winstone, who originally proposed a small-scale hardware test using a levitated system (alongside Yale’s David Moore), will lead Northwestern’s contribution within the group of CIERA Professor Andrew Geraci. Their work will focus on magnetic levitation experiments to measure thrust effects from early fission film prototypes, in close collaboration with the hardware development team at Yale.
The inclusion of a physical hardware test was a key factor in advancing TFINER to Phase II, highlighting Northwestern’s critical role in moving breakthrough technologies from theory toward tangible demonstration.
“To venture further into space, humanity must achieve orders-of-magnitude advances in propulsion,” says Winston. “Fission sails offer a simple, practical, and elegant way to harness nuclear energy for crossing distances too vast for existing technologies.“
Featured Image: Artist concept highlighting the novel approach proposed by the 2025 NIAC awarded selection of the TFINER concept. This is the baseline TFINER configuration used in the system analysis. Credit: NASA/James Bickford. Draper Laboratory.