NASA Seeks Industry Feedback on Fission Surface Power
As part of the agency’s initiative to return humanity to the moon and finally send the first astronaut – an American – to Mars, NASA intervenes industry for interest and comments on a fission surface power system, thanks to a request for information published Thursday.
Earlier this month, NASA declared its intention to put a nuclear reactor on the Moon in the mid-2030s to support lunar exploration, provide the production of electricity on Mars and strengthen national security in space.
“Today’s call to the industry’s contribution is an important step towards the commitment of the commercial space industry to fuel the lunar economy and allow a future human exploration on Mars,” said Steve Sinacore, director of the Fission Surface Power program at the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. “The development of a safe, reliable and effective power supply is essential to unlock the future of human spatial exploration and guarantee that America retains its domination in space.”
Drawing on its previous work, NASA will work with industry to design a fission surface power system which would provide at least 100 kilowatts of electrical energy, would have a mass allocation of less than 15 metric tonnes and would use a closed bray cycle power conversion system, which converts heat to electricity.
The new NASA fission surface power effort is based on more than 60 years of experience in exploration technologies. In 2022, NASA awarded three contracts for the concepts of the fission surface power system for the moon. In addition, NASA has used nuclear energy sources in spacecrafts and Rovers over the years.
The size, weight and energy capacity of fission systems make it an effective continuous food, whatever the place. In addition, a nuclear reactor could be placed in lunar regions where sunlight cannot reach and could support nights on the moon, which can last more than 14 days of earth near the poles.
Nuclear energy is a key element for NASA Artemis missions and supporting a robust lunar economy. The request for information invites innovators to contribute to this effort, allowing NASA to access the expertise of the industry and to strengthen American ingenuity.
Responses at the request of information are due on Thursday August 21 and could be used to finalize a potential opportunity later this year.
The fission surface power effort is managed by NASA Glenn. The development of the electricity system is funded by the program of the management of the mission of development of exploration systems of the Moon to Mars agency.
