{"id":10065,"date":"2024-01-31T12:08:34","date_gmt":"2024-01-31T16:08:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zobi.alcowep.com\/bourtagshdrevxnls658739\/nasas-fission-surface-power-project-energizes-lunar-exploration\/"},"modified":"2024-01-31T12:08:34","modified_gmt":"2024-01-31T16:08:34","slug":"nasas-fission-surface-power-project-energizes-lunar-exploration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zobi.alcowep.com\/bourtagshdrevxnls658739\/nasas-fission-surface-power-project-energizes-lunar-exploration\/","title":{"rendered":"NASA\u2019s Fission Surface Power Project Energizes Lunar Exploration"},"content":{"rendered":"

NASA\u2019s Fission Surface Power Project Energizes Lunar Exploration<\/h2>\n

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\"A<\/figure>
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A concept image of NASA\u2019s Fission Surface Power Project.<\/div>\n
Credit: NASA<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

NASA is wrapping up the initial phase of its\u00a0Fission Surface Power Project<\/a>, which focused on developing concept designs for a small, electricity-generating nuclear fission reactor that could be used during a future demonstration on the Moon and to inform future designs for Mars.<\/p>\n

NASA awarded three $5 million contracts<\/a> in 2022, tasking each commercial partner with developing an initial design that included the reactor; its power conversion, heat rejection, and power management and distribution systems; estimated costs; and a development schedule that could pave the way for powering a sustained human presence on the lunar surface for at least 10 years.<\/p>\n

\u201cA demonstration of a nuclear power source on the Moon is required to show that it is a safe, clean, reliable option,\u201d said Trudy Kortes, program director, Technology Demonstration Missions within NASA\u2019s Space Technology Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. \u201cThe lunar night is challenging from a technical perspective, so having a source of power such as this nuclear reactor, which operates independent of the Sun, is an enabling option for long-term exploration and science efforts on the Moon.\u201d<\/p>\n

While solar power systems have limitations on the Moon, a nuclear reactor could be placed in permanently shadowed areas (where there may be water ice) or generate power continuously during lunar nights, which are 14-and-a-half Earth days long.<\/p>\n

NASA designed the requirements for this initial reactor to be open and flexible to maintain the commercial partners\u2019 ability to bring creative approaches for technical review.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was a healthy variety of approaches; they were all very unique from each other,\u201d said Lindsay Kaldon, Fission Surface Power project manager at NASA\u2019s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. \u201cWe didn\u2019t give them a lot of requirements on purpose because we wanted them to think outside the box.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, NASA did specify that the reactor should stay under six metric tons and be able to produce 40 kilowatts (kW) of electrical power, ensuring enough for demonstration purposes and additional power available for running lunar habitats, rovers, backup grids, or science experiments. In the U.S., 40 kW can, on average, provide electrical power for 33 households.<\/p>\n

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NASA plans a sustained presence on the Moon and eventually Mars. Safe, efficient, reliable energy will be key to future robotic and human exploration.<\/div>\n
Credit: NASA<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

NASA also set a goal that the reactor should be capable of operating for a decade without human intervention, which is key to its success. Safety, especially concerning radiation dose and shielding, is another key driver for the design.<\/p>\n

Beyond the set requirements, the partnerships envisioned how the reactor would be remotely powered on and controlled. They identified potential faults and considered different types of fuels and configurations. Having terrestrial nuclear companies paired with companies with expertise in space made for a wide range of ideas.<\/p>\n

NASA plans to extend the three Phase 1 contracts to gather more information before Phase 2, when industry will be solicited to design the final reactor to demonstrate on the Moon. This additional knowledge will help the agency set the Phase 2 requirements, Kaldon says.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re getting a lot of information from the three partners,\u201d Kaldon said. \u201cWe\u2019ll have to take some time to process it all and see what makes sense going into Phase 2 and levy the best out of Phase 1 to set requirements to design a lower-risk system moving forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

Open solicitation for Phase 2 is planned for 2025.<\/p>\n

After Phase 2, the target date for delivering a reactor to the launch pad is in the early 2030s. On the Moon, the reactor will complete a one-year demonstration followed by nine operational years. If all goes well, the reactor design may be updated for potential use on Mars.<\/p>\n

Beyond gearing up for Phase 2, NASA recently awarded Rolls Royce North American Technologies, Brayton Energy, and General Electric contracts to develop Brayton power converters.<\/p>\n

Thermal power produced during nuclear fission must be converted to electricity before use. Brayton converters solve this by using differences in heat to rotate turbines within the converters. However, current Brayton converters waste a lot of heat, so NASA has challenged companies to make these engines more efficient.<\/p>\n

The Technology Demonstration Missions program manages Fission Surface Power under NASA\u2019s Space Technology Mission Directorate.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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NASA is wrapping up the initial phase of its\u00a0Fission Surface Power Project, which focused on developing concept designs for a small, electricity-generating nuclear fission reactor that could be used during a future demonstration on the Moon and to inform future designs for Mars. NASA awarded three $5 million contracts in 2022, tasking each commercial partner [\u2026] Continue reading → <\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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