Project Orion

Project Orion was abandoned primarily due to nuclear test bans, political concerns, and technological challenges.

The 1963 Partial Test Ban Treaty prohibited nuclear detonations in space, effectively outlawing Orion’s propulsion method.

Politically, detonating nuclear bombs for propulsion posed global security risks, as it could be perceived as a military escalation.

Additionally, concerns over fallout contamination and shock absorption challenges in spacecraft design made the project impractical with existing materials.

While Orion offered unparalleled thrust, advancements in chemical and ion propulsion, along with diplomatic limitations, led to its cancellation by the late 1960s.