Rolls-Royce has received a substantial boost in its quest to develop a pioneering nuclear micro-reactor for space applications. With an additional £4.8 million ($6.2 million) in funding from the UK Space Agency (UKSA), the renowned engineering company is edging closer to transforming science fiction into reality. This innovative micro-reactor has the potential to revolutionize space exploration by providing reliable and portable power sources for lunar bases and spacecraft propulsion.
In the 1969 science fiction film Doppelganger (also known as Journey to the Far Side of the Sun), a Rolls-Royce logo was depicted on a spaceship’s nuclear rocket engines. Fast forward over fifty years, and Rolls-Royce is making strides towards turning this cinematic vision into a tangible technology. The development of the space nuclear Micro-Reactor is set to bring about significant advancements in powering spacecraft propulsion systems, among other uses.
The latest funding comes from the UKSA’s National Space Innovation Programme (NSIP), pushing the total project funding closer to the £9.1 million ($11.7 million) mark. Rolls-Royce plans to complete the system design within the next 18 months, working in collaboration with academic partners from the University of Oxford and Bangor University. The first orbital test of the reactor is anticipated before the decade’s end, with a lunar version test scheduled a few years later.
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The Rolls-Royce Micro-Reactor is designed to be a compact, energy-dense, and portable power source, suitable for long-term exploration missions on the Moon and deep space. It aims to address the limitations of conventional power sources like solar panels, fuel cells, and batteries, which are often intermittent and insufficient for prolonged missions.
Unlike the larger Small Modular Reactor (SMR), which produces 0.5 GW of power and requires significant space, the Micro-Reactor generates between 1 to 10 MW and is small enough to be transported on a truck. This versatility makes it ideal for use at planetary bases, mobile units, and even rovers. The reactor is independent of its environment, fueled by pellets composed of enriched uranium or plutonium, carbon, and ceramic, set within a geometrically arranged graphite core.
The Micro-Reactor’s design includes bespoke heat exchangers that make it lightweight and efficient, converting nuclear heat into usable power. This makes it an invaluable asset for various applications, including powering bases on the Moon or Mars, space stations, and deep-space vehicles, as well as for nuclear propulsion systems.
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One of the primary applications of the Micro-Reactor is to support human missions on the Moon and Mars. For example, NASA has identified the Moon’s southern pole as a prime location for establishing a lunar outpost due to potential water deposits in its permanently shadowed areas. The consistent power provided by the Micro-Reactor would be essential for sustaining human life and operations in these harsh environments, where solar energy is unreliable.
The Micro-Reactor could also revolutionize spacecraft propulsion. It can be used for electric propulsion systems, like ion drives, or direct thermal nuclear rockets, where a reaction mass, such as methane, is heated to produce thrust. This capability would allow missions to travel deeper into space with larger payloads or at higher velocities. Additionally, it would enable orbital satellites to shift orbits rapidly, facilitating satellite maintenance or defense against potential threats.
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Rolls-Royce’s ambitious project is not only a leap forward for space exploration but also holds potential benefits for terrestrial applications. By developing a marketable British system, Rolls-Royce aims to provide commercial customers with a reliable power source for both space and Earth-based uses. The company envisions the Micro-Reactor playing a pivotal role in achieving net-zero objectives and reducing greenhouse gas emissions on Earth.
“We are delighted to win this award from the National Space Innovation Programme and to be continuing our collaboration with the UK Space Agency,” said Jake Thompson, Director of Novel Nuclear & Special Projects at Rolls-Royce. “This funding is a pivotal point in our Micro-Reactor program and will accelerate our technology progression, bringing us a step closer to powering inspiring human endeavors in space.”
“The future of space exploration is greatly dependent on the ability to generate high levels of consistent power and our nuclear Micro-Reactor is the solution that will offer safe, reliable and flexible power to a broad range of space missions.”
