the NERVA engine was ready for it first space flight RIFT (Reactor In Flight Test)
but the Program was canceld in 1972 after NASA lost against politics of Capitol Hill
original 1960 plan for RIFT was suborbital launch of NERVA as second stage of a Saturn IB
after flight the NERVA stage impact in Atlantic
1963 it was change for Saturn V test flight with Dummy second stage
finaly it appointed to Orbital Test with Saturn V INT-21 some time in 1970s
Use NERVA for wat ?!
it was for improvement for payload to Moon
a Saturn V launch 100,000 pounds (45,000 kg) to Moon
replace S-IVb with S-IVb-N and
a Saturn V launch 130,000 pounds (58,967 kg) to Moon
or launch a small Space Station with Apollo CSM for a Venus Fly-by
1969 with Integrated Manned Programme (NASAs ultimate Post-Apollo plan)
NERVA play heavy role as Engine for re-usable Nuclear Shuttle
wat bring Payloads From Space Base to GEO Station or Luna orbital Station
or launch Mars manned expedition
but all the high-handed plans died in 1969-1973 with Nixon undecidedness on a Future Space Program
NASA Administrator Paine impatiently "i want Integrated Manned Programme, Now more than ever." attitude made things worst.
Paine left NASA after murder the Saturn V production and Apollo Program on long therm.
Vice President Spiro Agnew (Mars manned expedition advocate) resign the office because groundless suspicion about Tax evasion
in the end Nixon chooses only the Space Shuttle...