- Nuclear Propulsion Advancement: USNC’s $5 million NASA contract signals a critical step in nuclear thermal propulsion, transitioning from theory to hardware development for more efficient space exploration.
- Collaborative Innovations: Collaboration between USNC, Blue Origin, SpaceNukes, and Framatome showcases a collective effort to harness the power of nuclear technology for space missions, spanning from advanced fuel production to spacecraft propulsion systems.
- Game-Changing Possibilities: Nuclear thermal propulsion promises faster, more efficient, and sustainable
The recent announcement of a $5 million contract between the Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation (USNC) and NASA signifies a significant leap forward in the development of nuclear thermal propulsion. This groundbreaking contract marks the transition from theoretical concepts to the tangible implementation of nuclear thermal propulsion, a technology that holds the potential to revolutionize space exploration.
Under this contract, USNC is tasked with two crucial objectives. Firstly, they will be responsible for the manufacturing and testing of advanced, proprietary fuel, which has been the product of extensive internal research and development efforts. This proprietary fuel will play a pivotal role in the advancement of nuclear thermal propulsion technology.
Secondly, USNC will collaborate with their commercial partner, Blue Origin, to refine the design of a nuclear thermal propulsion engine. This engine is meticulously optimized for civil science missions and cislunar ventures, which are missions focused on the space between Earth and the Moon. These missions demand innovative propulsion methods, and nuclear thermal propulsion holds the promise of providing the required thrust and efficiency.
The significance of this contract lies in the fact that it propels nuclear thermal propulsion from mere theoretical blueprints into the realm of hardware development. This shift is vital in moving closer to practical applications of this technology in space missions.
The foundation for this recent contract was laid by both NASA and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) through the Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO) program. DRACO’s ultimate aim is to demonstrate a nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) system in orbit by 2027. This ambitious goal aligns with the broader effort to establish nuclear thermal propulsion as a viable option for future space exploration.
USNC’s Vishal Patel, serving as the program manager for Nuclear Propulsion, underlines the critical and exciting phase that lies ahead for nuclear thermal propulsion. While the technology is on the cusp of practical use, significant development is still needed before it can be employed for moving substantial payloads in space. Patel’s optimism about the upcoming year reflects the collective efforts to prepare this technology for operational missions with enhanced performance following the DRACO demonstration.
USNC’s prior contributions to the space industry include the delivery of uranium nitride-coated uranium oxycarbide tristructural isotropic (TRISO) fuel to NASA’s Space Nuclear Power and Propulsion program. This latest contract builds upon these contributions by encompassing the manufacturing of fuel assemblies for testing in prototypic conditions. Furthermore, the company will construct and test critical safety systems for the NTP engine, which is a fundamental prerequisite for the eventual testing of the integrated nuclear system at a Department of Energy (DOE) site, as noted by USNC’s Chief Scientist for Advanced Technologies, Michael Eades.
In addition to USNC’s endeavors, the space industry has seen the launch of the Joint Emergent Technology Supplying On-orbit Nuclear Power (JETSON) project. Initiated by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)/Space Vehicle Directorate, JETSON is an ambitious project that seeks to develop high and low-power spacecraft concepts using nuclear fission for propulsion, rather than traditional solar panels. This transition to nuclear-based propulsion holds the promise of more efficient and reliable space missions.
Space Nuclear Power Corporation (SpaceNukes) is a key player in this development, commercializing Kilopower space fission reactor technology under license from Los Alamos National Laboratory. Their partnership with Lockheed Martin Corporation and BWX Technologies for the JETSON project signifies a collaborative effort to design and assemble a nuclear reactor power system that will provide electrical power to spacecraft. Their work has already pushed the Kilopower design to significantly higher power levels than achieved in the Kilopower Reactor Using Stirling Technology (KRUSTY) demonstration conducted at Los Alamos National Laboratory in 2017-2018.
SpaceNukes’ CEO, Andy Phelps, underscores the immense potential of fission power in space and the importance of taking incremental steps to establish the expertise and infrastructure necessary to achieve groundbreaking capabilities. This venture symbolizes a step toward a more energy-efficient and sustainable approach to space exploration.
Framatome, a company with 65 years of nuclear and industrial expertise, is also contributing to the advancement of nuclear technology for space exploration. The establishment of Framatome Space is a significant development. This division aims to leverage their extensive experience to support the space industry.
Framatome is already working with the French Alternative Energies & Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) and Ariane Group on a feasibility study for a nuclear thermal propulsion engine. Earlier this year, they announced plans to form a joint venture with USNC for the commercial-scale manufacturing of TRISO particles, which are essential components in nuclear thermal propulsion systems.
Framatome’s CEO, Bernard Fontana, expresses pride in being part of the new era of space travel. He emphasizes the pivotal role that nuclear power is set to play in expediting more efficient space missions and sees Framatome as a natural contributor given their vast experience and expertise in nuclear power.
Grégoire Lambert, Vice President of Strategy at Framatome and Framatome Space, believes that their company is poised to play a decisive role in the future of space exploration. He firmly asserts that nuclear power has the potential to be a game-changing solution for meeting the substantial energy requirements of space development. This marks a promising step toward advancing the capabilities and infrastructure needed for groundbreaking space exploration.
In summary, these collaborative efforts and projects mark a significant turning point in the development of nuclear thermal propulsion for space exploration, offering the potential for more efficient, powerful, and sustainable missions beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
