Nuclear power could soon make its way into space and on the moon, as NASA has announced that it is one step closer to finalizing a lunar nuclear reactor.
Three concept proposals for the fission surface power system on the moon have been selected by NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy.
The concepts are expected to help future space exploration, including possible missions to Mars, under the Artemis umbrella. The expectation is that the reactor will be put in place by 2030, according to NASA.
Jim Reuter, an associate administrator for NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate in Washington, shared in a statement that the energy produced by the reactor will help in space exploration.
“Plentiful energy will be key to future space exploration,” Reuter said. “I expect fission surface power systems to greatly benefit our plans for power architectures for the Moon and Mars and even drive innovation for uses here on Earth.”
The contracts for the project will fund the development of an initial design concept for a 40-kilowatt class fission power system. It is planned to last at least 10 years in the lunar environment, and NASA has valued it at around $5 million.
The amount of energy that the power system, 40 kilowatts, would generate is enough to power 30 households for ten years, nonstop.
Now three companies have been awarded 12-month contracts to develop preliminary designs, Lockheed Martin of Maryland, Westinghouse of Pennsylvania, and IX of Texas.
The Depart of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory awarded the contracts, and program director John Wagner shared in a statement the importance of the project.
“The Fission Surface Power project is a very achievable first step toward the United States establishing nuclear power on the Moon,” Wagner said. “I look forward to seeing what each of these teams will accomplish.”
While it will be powerful, the system will be somewhat small and lightweight compared to other power systems, according to NASA.
The project will also allow NASA to collect information that could help develop a completed flight-certified fission power system, which could then help the agency mature nuclear propulsion systems that could help with deep space exploration.
“Developing these early designs will help us lay the groundwork for powering our long-term human presence on other worlds,” Reuter said.
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