• NASA releases Artemis concepts for Lunar Nuclear Power on the Moon

    International
    NASA releases Artemis concepts for Lunar Nuclear Power on the Moon

    Because they are lightweight and very compact, nuclear fission systems are perfect for the lunar environment. They can also produce power consistently regardless of location, amount of sunlight, and other environmental factors.

    Digital
    Desk: To develop a workable space nuclear technology, NASA and the US
    Department of Energy (DOE) are collaborating. The agencies have chosen three
    design concept suggestions for a nuclear fission surface power system design.
    By the end of the decade, NASA predicts that a demonstration of this technology
    might be placed on the moon. It is intended to support upcoming Artemis moon
    missions, which will bring people back to the moon after a long absence.



    Through
    the Idaho National Laboratory, the DOE granted contracts totaling about $5
    million apiece. The money received as part of the contract will be used to
    create the basic design ideas for a 40 kW fission power system that is intended
    to operate for at least 10 years in the hostile lunar environment. Lockheed
    Martin, Westinghouse, and IX received the contracts. All three will collaborate
    with different businesses.



    Because
    they are lightweight and very compact, nuclear fission systems are perfect for
    the lunar environment. They can also produce power consistently regardless of
    location, amount of sunlight, and other environmental factors. Long-duration
    expeditions to the Moon, Mars, and other planets may be made possible by the
    installation of such a power generation system on the Moon.



    In
    order for the United States to generate nuclear power on the Moon, the Fission
    Surface Power project is a highly doable first step. According to a NASA press
    release, Idaho National Laboratory Director John Wagner commented, "I am
    excited to see what each of these teams will accomplish.



    A
    full flight-certified fission power system may be jointly developed by NASA and
    the industry as a result of the Phase 1 grants, which will provide NASA with
    crucial information from the sector. NASA will be able to create nuclear propulsion
    systems that use reactors to produce power rather than rocket fuel with the use
    of these fission surface power technologies. They might also be employed in
    expeditions to explore outer space.