The topic of nuclear power may be a subject of discussion on Earth, but it is highly applicable in space due to the use of fission technology. The U.S. military, having previously granted Lockheed Martin a contract for the DRACO program, is now providing an additional $33.7 million for the development of a nuclear-powered spacecraft. This spacecraft will utilize nuclear fission to generate electricity through Stirling engines, which will be used for propulsion, onboard systems, and payloads.
When considering space exploration, adopting fission power has significant advantages. Nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) engines are known for their increased efficiency, ability to reduce travel duration, and capacity for larger payloads. Furthermore, Lockheed Martin is actively developing an NTP engine for cislunar missions as part of DARPA’s DRACO program.
The United States military is providing $33.7 million to Lockheed Martin, Space Nuclear Power Corp (SpaceNukes), and BWX Technologies, Inc. (BWXT) for the development of a nuclear-powered spacecraft through the Joint Emergent Technology Supplying On-Orbit Nuclear (JETSON) project. This project aims to utilize the capabilities of fission beyond just propulsion, as demonstrated by the potential for a nuclear rocket to reach Mars in just 45 days.
According to Lockheed Martin, this technology demonstrator will utilize nuclear fission to generate electricity through Stirling engines, with a capacity ranging from 6 kWe to 20 kWe. This is said to be four times more powerful than traditional solar arrays, and does not rely on constant sunlight. The inspiration for this technique came from NASA’s KRUSTY experiment, which aimed to develop nuclear-powered electricity for future lunar and Martian outposts.
The fission engine remains inactive during launch and will only activate once the JETSON spacecraft reaches a stable orbit around Earth. Using the energy produced by the fission reactor, the spacecraft will be powered by Hall-effect thrusters, which are a type of ion thruster that utilizes electricity for acceleration. These thrusters are currently utilized on the company’s LM2100 satellites, as stated in the LM2100 Datasheet. Apart from providing power for acceleration, the fission engine will also supply energy for the spacecraft’s onboard systems and payloads, making it a convenient and all-in-one energy source for the spacecraft’s operations.
For the first time since 1965, the U.S. military is planning to launch a nuclear reactor into space. The last time this was done was when the U.S. launched the experimental satellite, the SNAP-10A, which also happened to be the first ion thruster in space. According to Lockheed Martin, this spacecraft will improve maneuverability and power for future space force operations and is currently undergoing a preliminary design review.
In addition to Lockheed Martin, Intuitive Machines, a company based in Houston, received $9.4 million for the creation of a spacecraft powered by a compact radioisotope system. Westinghouse Government Services, located in South Carolina, was also granted funds to explore the use of high-power fission systems in potential spacecraft, as reported by the Defense Department.
The impact of fission on Earth is a complex topic, but in the realm of space, the technology is appearing increasingly obvious.