The proposals are for a fission surface
power system design. These designs could be brought to life in the span of a
decade. By the end of a decade, they would be ready for demonstration on the
Moon.
This technology would help in future
exploration and would be covered under the Artemis umbrella. The contracts for
these design proposals will be awarded through the DOE's Idaho National
Laboratory. The contracts will fund the initial development of the design
concepts “for a 40-kilowatt class fission power system planned to last at least
10 years in the lunar environment,” according to the website of NASA.
NASA is focussing on fission technology as
they are smaller and more lightweight than other power systems. Jim Reuter, the
associate administrator for NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate, said,
“New technology drives our exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
Developing these early designs will help us lay the groundwork for powering our
long-term human presence on other worlds.”
Idaho National Laboratory Director John
Wagner said, “The Fission Surface Power project is a very achievable first step
toward the United States establishing nuclear power on the Moon. I look forward
to seeing what each of these teams will accomplish.”
The Request for Proposal development,
evaluation, and procurement was sponsored by NASA and led by Battelle Energy
Alliance, which is the managing and operating contractor for Idaho National
Laboratory.
The Phase 1 awards by NASA will provide the
space agency with critical information from the industry. This may soon lead to
a “joint development of a full flight-certified fission power system”. Fission
surface power technologies will help the agency to come up with mature nuclear
propulsion systems. These systems could be used for missions exploring deep
space in the future.
0 comments:
Post a Comment