Why do people use rocket fuel instead of nuclear power for spacecraft?

Question

Why do people use rocket fuel instead of nuclear power for spacecraft?

In: Technology

Answer 1

Rocket fuel creates an explosion that provides trust in a given direction.

Nuclear reactors generate heat which is transferred to water then steam which is used to turn a turbine to make electricity. (Generalizing)

You could use nuclear power to power things such as a electric motor but that motor doesn’t provide trust. Motors make mechanic motion but that would be the equivalent of sticking a boat motor outside your rocket.

Tldr: Rocket Fuel goes boom in right direction. Nuclear power keeps lights on.