InternationalMoonTechnology

UKSA Funds Rolls-Royce’s Lunar Nuclear Reactor 

Image: Rolls Royce

The UK Space Agency has awarded Rolls-Royce £2.9M ($3.5M) to continue development of a lunar nuclear reactor. Under the contract, UKSA and Rolls-Royce are aiming to get a demo model on the Moon’s surface by 2029. The agency previously funded a £249,000 (~$305,000) study last year. 

The micro-reactor program

A bet on nuclear energy is seen as a way to wean future crews and robotic systems off of solar energy. 

  • Rolls-Royce’s micro-reactor program is investigating how nuclear power could one day serve as a long-term energy source for a permanent moon base. 
  • The engine manufacturer is working with Oxford, Bangor, Sheffield, and Brighton universities to help it field a demonstration model by 2029. 

The research zeroes in on three key areas: 

  1. Generating heat/the fuel used to generate heat 
  2. The method transferring that heat 
  3. Technology that can convert the heat into usable energy (AKA electricity)

Ensuring the micro-reactor will be ready to operate in an unforgiving lunar environment is also a focus area. 

What are micro-reactors? 

Modular micro-reactors are 100X to 1,000X smaller than conventional reactors. The relatively small and lightweight systems can provide continuous power despite location, available sunlight, and other environmental factors. Micro-reactors can likely generate enough energy to power communications, life support, and experiments. 

Rolls-Royce’s nuclear efforts 

  • Apart from space-focused nuclear research, Rolls-Royce is also building up to 16 small modular reactors (SMRs) to provide low cost clean energy in the UK. 
  • It previously sold two of its nuclear businesses in 2019 and 2021, and has provided nuclear submarines for the UK Ministry of Defence through a subsidiary. 

The world’s second largest aircraft engine manufacturer is no stranger to nuclear energy. 

Other nuclear moon projects 

Last summer, NASA and the DOE funded three projects to develop a fission surface power system by 2030 with the ultimate goal of supporting the Artemis program. In addition, NASA and DARPA will spend hundreds of millions to test a nuclear fission-powered thermal propulsion system on a spacecraft before the decade is out. 

Related Stories
InternationalMilitary

Korea Tensions Move to Space

North and South Korea are using space as a vantage point to keep an eye on one another. On Nov. 21, North Korea successfully launched a military spy satellite to orbit on its third try, sparking international concern and escalating tension in the region. Now officials say that the satellite is up and running, collecting […]

CivilInternational

JAXA Suffers Cyberattack

Hackers infiltrated Japan’s space agency’s internal systems this summer, but it doesn’t appear they accessed info related to the country’s launch or satellite operations, JAXA announced.

International

Bill Nelson Tours India to Discuss Space Collaboration

Bill Nelson’s world tour has touched down in India.  On Monday, the NASA chief landed in the newly minted Moon-faring nation, where he has been making rounds with high-ranking officials. The trip, which builds on space agreements announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit in June, emphasizes space tech and research collaboration, with a […]

InternationalLaunch

Ariane 6 Conducts Hot Fire Test

While many of us west of the Atlantic were occupied by copious amounts of turkey and mashed potatoes, our friends across the pond were focused on the arguably more exciting task of firing new rocket engines.