Expert in designing compact nuclear fission reactors? NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy want your expertise to fit one inside a 4x6 meter rocket fairing.
NASA and its partners aim to establish a permanent presence on and around the Moon, necessitating a robust lunar base to shelter astronauts from harsh conditions. Reliable power is essential for this vision.
For months, the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and the U.S. Department of Energy have explored developing a small, high-power nuclear fission reactor deployable on the lunar surface within the next decade.
Fission was selected for its proven reliability. As NASA explains, "Fission systems can operate continuously around the clock in dark craters and during lunar nights that last weeks, when solar power is unavailable." This capability also supports sustained power needs for a manned outpost.
The agencies are now soliciting proposals from industry partners. Interested parties should note the submission deadline of February 19, 2022.
"Abundant energy will be key to future space exploration," said Jim Reuter, Associate Administrator of NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate. "I expect fission surface power systems to advance our power architectures for the Moon and Mars, while spurring terrestrial innovations."
Proposals must adhere to strict specifications. The reactor must be uranium-fueled, splitting uranium-235 atoms to release energy. It should weigh no more than six tons and fit within a 4x6 meter rocket fairing.
On the lunar surface, it needs to deliver 40 kilowatts of continuous electrical power for 10 years—enough to power about 30 Earth homes over that span.
Thermal management is critical, regulating temperatures amid lunar days exceeding 120°C.
The project is led by NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland.
