IX, a joint venture of Intuitive Machines and X-Energy.
Created: 2023-01-14
Updated: 2024-02-29
NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) are working together to advance space nuclear technologies. The agencies have selected three design concept proposals for a fission surface power system design that could be ready to launch by the end of the decade for a demonstration on the Moon.
This technology would benefit future exploration under the Artemis umbrella. The contracts, to be awarded through the DOE’s Idaho National Laboratory, are each valued at approximately $5 million. The contracts fund the development of initial design concepts for a 40-kilowatt class fission power system planned to last at least 10 years in the lunar environment.
The Department of Energy and NASA awarded IX, a joint venture between Intuitive Machines and X-energy, a contract to conduct a one-year study to mature the design of a Fission Surface Power (FSP) solution that will deliver at least 40 kWe power flight system to the Moon by 2028.
X-Charge
Resources - Energy, Power Beaming, Space Solar Power, In-Orbit Data Storage, In-Orbit Computing
Early stage
Mini Modular Reactor (MMR)
Resources - Energy, Nuclear Fission Power
Early stage, Dormant
Orbital Solar
Space Solar Power, Power Beaming, Resources - Energy
Dormant, Early stage
Development
Power Beaming, Resources - Energy
LunaGrid
Resources - Energy, Lunar Power Service
Quark
Space Tug, In-Space Logistics, Resources - Energy, On-Orbit Servicing, Propellant Refuel Station, Propellant Refilling
Orbitron
Resources - Energy, Nuclear Fusion Power
HEBAM
ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Resources - Energy, Hardware
Concept
Resources - Energy
LEUNR
50KW Vertical Solar Array Technology
Resources - Energy, Hardware
Resources - Energy, Lunar Electric Grid
Resources - Energy, Power Beaming
Power Beaming, Resources - Energy, Space Solar Power
Power Beaming, Resources - Energy, Lunar Electric Grid
Resources - Energy, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization)
Nuclear Fission Power, Orbital Transportation, Resources - Energy, Hardware, Transport Service (LEO-Moon)
Helicity Drive
Resources - Energy, Space Tug, Nuclear Fusion Power, In-Space Logistics
ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Space Resources, Resources - Energy, Space Robotics, Robotic Arm
LUNARSABER
Resources - Energy, Space Robotics
SPRINT, SPEAR
Resources - Energy, Nuclear Radioisotope Power, Solar Thermal Propulsion, Active Debris Removal (ADR)
Idea
Resources - Energy, Power Beaming, Space Solar Power
Power Beaming, Resources - Energy, Lunar Electric Grid, Space Solar Power
Concept, Development
Space Situational Awareness (SSA), Resources - Energy
Development, Cancelled
Dormant, Concept
Farview Observatory, Lunar South Pole Oxygen Pipeline
In-Space Manufacturing, Resources - Energy, Space Construction Company
TerraBox
Resources - Energy, Resources - Oxygen, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), In-Space Manufacturing
Canadaarm3
On-Orbit Servicing, Space Robotics, Commercial Rover, Resources - Energy
Space Solar Power Incremental Demonstrations and Research (SSPIDR)
Space Solar Power, Resources - Energy
Resources - Energy, Nuclear Fission Power, Orbital Transportation
P3 (Power, Prospecting and Propellant)
Resources - Energy, Propellant Refilling, Propellant Refuel Station, Lunar Power Service, Lunar Electric Grid
Space Solar Power, Power Beaming, Lunar Power Service, Resources - Energy
Direct Fusion Drive (DFD)
Nuclear Fission Power, Nuclear Radioisotope Power, Resources - Energy
Luna Ring
Resources - Energy, Power Beaming, Hardware
ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Space Resources, Resources - Energy
Dormant, Idea
Resources - Energy, Space Solar Power, Hardware
Resources - Energy, Space Solar Power, Power Beaming
Spacefaring Services
Dormant
Project SEEE
MPR (Mobile Power Rover)
Commercial Rover, Power Beaming, Resources - Energy
PULSAR
Nuclear Radioisotope Power, Resources - Energy
Early stage, Concept
Pylon
Resources - Energy, Nuclear Fission Power, Commercial Rover, Orbital Transportation
Xe-100 Reactor
Resources - Energy, Nuclear Radioisotope Power
Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Orbital Transportation, Nuclear Fission Power
Nuclear Fission Power, Nuclear Radioisotope Power