(I) NASA is considering using nuclear boosters to lift spacecraft into orbit at a fraction of the cost of today's all-chemical launchers. (II) The nuclear- assisted rocket produced far more thrust than any of the conventional ones which meant the time required for the launching was still further reduced. (Ill) But anti-nuclear protesters claim nuclear launchers would make accidents much more dangerous and accuse NASA of "playing Russian Roulette". (IV) NASA, however, disregards all this and remains keen to move away from conventional chemical rockets to lighter, more powerful propulsion systems. (V) “Nuclear systems give you a chance to reduce your mass and so your overall costs to orbit" says R. Adams, of NASA's Marshall of Space Flight Center in Alabama.