The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has outlined the first phase of its initiative to design small nuclear reactors that could be used to explore the Moon and Mars. Information about this has been officially published Web site Space Agency.
The organization signed contracts worth $5 million in 2022 and instructed partners to develop projects, including the reactor itself, energy conversion, heat removal, control and power distribution systems, to ensure a sustainable human presence on the Moon for at least 10 years.
According to the requirements, the nuclear facility must weigh no more than six tons and be able to produce 40 kilowatts of electricity, ensuring the supply of residential and scientific modules, lunar rovers and backup networks.
NASA contractors involved in the reactor’s development included Lockheed Martin, Westinghouse, and IX (a joint venture between space technology manufacturer Intuitive Machines and private nuclear energy firm X-Energy).
NASA announced that after the second phase of the project, the nuclear reactor will be delivered to the Moon in the early 2030s. There he will have to spend one year in test mode and nine years in operation. If all goes well, the design of the installation will be made suitable for use on Mars.
Previous researchers developed A new material to protect thermonuclear reactors from hot plasma.