The Rolls-Royce power plant will use shielded uranium particles and the natural reaction of nuclear fission.
Rolls-Royce has posted on Twitter an image of its “microreactor”, which can be used as a power plant to power spacecraft and future moon bases.
“The reactor will use an inherently safe and reliable form of fuel. Each uranium particle has several protective layers that act as a “containment system” that will allow it to withstand extreme conditions, ”commented the company.
A Rolls-Royce Micro-Reactor is designed to use an inherently safe and extremely robust fuel form. Each uranium particle is encapsulated in multiple protective layers that act as a containment system, allowing it to withstand extreme conditions.https://t.co/OOc9kBGXDx pic.twitter.com/wkXmZgzhrs
— Rolls-Royce (@RollsRoyce) January 27, 2023
For years, Rolls-Royce has spoken of the reactor as the central theme of its space ambitions. The company began exploring nuclear power with the UK space agency in 2021. NASA recently confirmed that it has similar goals in collaboration with DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency).
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NASA and DARPA to test nuclear propulsion for future missions to Mars – in-space demonstration of technology expected in 2027
The US space agency has previously used nuclear power for unmanned space missions such as the Voyager probes, but not for crewed flights. Nuclear fission could become a much more efficient method of propulsion, as well as speeding up travel. The US Department of Defense began accepting proposals from private companies for spacecraft nuclear propulsion in 2021.
Another industry for nuclear reactors is lunar bases. One possible method involves the use of radioisotope devices with americium to power scientific equipment and communications. They will use a natural nuclear fission reaction that will release heat for decades.
Last year, the US Department of Defense and NASA gave millions of dollars to Lockheed Martin, Westinghouse, X-Energy and Intuitive Machines to design lunar nuclear power plants. Together they aim to build a 40 kW nuclear reactor that can operate on the Moon for 10 years.
All British and American organizations see nuclear propulsion as an important step towards reaching and exploring Mars. NASA wants to prototype its system in 2027, while Rolls-Royce plans to build a microreactor by 2028 and launch it in 2030. In addition, the company believes that the development of nuclear reactors for space could help decarbonize the Earth. The technology can also be applied to areas such as defense and shipping.
Earlier, China said it plans to build its own base on the moon by 2028, which will be powered by nuclear energy. Its basic configuration, consisting of a lander, a bunker, an orbiter and a rover, will be created as part of the Chanye 6, 7 and 8 missions. The Chinese base will likely be built in the south polar region of the moon. Subsequently, it will expand into an international research station and astronauts from China, Russia and other potential partner countries will sometimes be there, but most of the time it will operate unmanned.
Source: Techspot, Rolls-Royce
