A lunar fission reactor could power 33 homes with 40 kilowatts of energy.
Key Takeaways
- NASA’s bold vision to place a nuclear reactor on the Moon is progressing rapidly.
- The agency aims to ensure a reliable power source for lunar bases during long lunar nights.
- Lockheed Martin, Westinghouse, and IX received $5 million each to design fission reactors.
- Reactors must weigh under six metric tons and function for 10 years without maintenance.
- NASA plans to deploy the first reactor on the Moon by the early 2030s and eventually adapt it for Mars missions.
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Aiming for Sustained Power on the Moon
NASA is forging ahead with plans to establish a long-term power source for lunar bases, with nuclear fission reactors at the forefront. This effort, part of the Artemis program, addresses the challenge of providing continuous energy during the Moon’s 14-day-long nights when solar power is unavailable.
The Fission Surface Power Project, initiated in 2022, completed its first phase with three companies—Lockheed Martin, Westinghouse, and IX—receiving $5 million contracts to design compact fission reactors. These reactors must weigh under six metric tons, produce 40 kilowatts of power, and operate for a decade without human intervention. The designs will serve as a foundation for powering habitats, experiments, and other systems on the Moon, with an eye toward future Mars missions.
The Advantages of Nuclear Power
Unlike solar grids, which are limited by lunar darkness, fission reactors provide a consistent power source, unaffected by sunlight. This capability makes them ideal for use in permanently shadowed regions of the Moon, where vital ice reserves are thought to exist. NASA envisions a hybrid system combining nuclear and solar power to meet the diverse energy demands of lunar exploration.
NASA intentionally allowed for flexibility in design, encouraging innovation. “We didn’t give them a lot of requirements on purpose because we wanted them to think outside the box,” said Lindsay Kaldon, project manager at NASA’s Glenn Research Center. This approach yielded unique concepts from all three partners, showcasing varied pathways to achieving NASA’s goals.
Looking Ahead to Deployment
Feedback from Phase 1 designs will inform Phase 2, set to begin in 2025, with the goal of deploying a lunar fission reactor in the early 2030s. The Moon will serve as a testing ground for these systems, paving the way for Mars-adapted reactors. Trudy Kortes, program director at NASA, emphasized the importance of this milestone, calling it “an enabling option for long-term exploration and science efforts on the Moon.”
As NASA prepares for a new era of space exploration, the development of reliable, compact nuclear reactors is a critical step toward sustaining human presence on the Moon and beyond.
