A review with 6 references Early in 1994 a bimodal (power and propulsion) reactor concept that made use of 2 different fuel types was identified. UN pin fuel was selected for long lifetime to produce electricity, and UO2-W cermet was selected for short-time high-temperature propulsion. During the last year the concept was refined and analyzed as part of the DOE contribution to the joint Air Force Phillips Laboratory-Department of Energy Bimodal Program. With the exception of refractory metal vacuum gaps between the components containing H propellant and the refractory metal components containing Li, and high temperature liquid metal-gas heat exchangers, the concept identified as nuclear engine for bimodal applications (NEBA)-3 uses previously developed and demonstrated technologies, including high efficiency closed Brayton cycle turbo-alternator-compressors for power production Using near-term technol. NEBA-3 can, as an upper stage to an Atlas IIAS launch vehicle, provide propulsion with specific impulse of ∼850 s at thrusts of 90-925 N, and 10 kW of electricity for 10 yr. Based on previous cost estimates by DOE and NASA, a min. program could deliver a flight system such as NEBA-3 with 6 yr at a cost of from $500 to $700 million. The US space reactor power and propulsion community now has the tech. capability to deliver such a system early in the next century.