Space Nukes (Space Nuclear Power Corporation)

SpaceNukes specializes in the design and fabrication of fission reactor power systems for use in outer space - for the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

Created: 2021-07-18

Updated: 2023-03-04

Company - Space Nukes (Space Nuclear Power Corporation)

Founded
Country: 2020; USA

Website: Space Nukes

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Product/Service

Classification: Space Utilities

Category: Resources - Energy
Nuclear Fission Power

Fields: Nuclear Power
Nuclear Fission Power

Status: Development

First launch: Not announced

The artwork shows astronauts completing the installation of four 10-kWe SpaceNukes reactors on the Mars surface. In this architecture, the reactors are buried in 1.5m deep holes, which reduces the mass of the landed system by a nearly a factor of 2 (due to less shielding and power cabling). The buried configuration allows the outpost to be positioned closer to the power station based on astronaut dose requirements; although other logistical reasons, such as damage from landing debris, might require ~1-km of separation regardless. The buried configuration would also allow astronauts easier and more frequent/lengthy access to the power site for planned or unplanned maintenance (because of the lower dose rates). It is anticipated that initial reactor missions will accept the mass penalty of leaving the reactor on the lander, until a surface architecture is established that could bury the reactors.

In addition to surface power, SpaceNukes reactors are intended to provide power in space, wherever sufficient sunlight is not available; e.g. the outer solar system and beyond. LANL’s KRUSTY was prototypic of a 1-kWe space power system that could be used for high power instruments and/or high data transmission rates – perhaps a communications satellite in orbit around Mars or a high fidelity probe of Enceladus. Higher power systems, perhaps 5 to 30 kWe could power ion thrusters to allow missions that orbit multiple moons, or missions to orbit Neptune, Pluto, or further out Kuiper objects, while also allowing powerful diagnostics and high data transmission rates. No matter what the power level, or whether on surface or in space, the basic technology and operation of the system is almost identical and tied directly to the KRUSTY test. The biggest system difference between surface and space reactors will be in radiation shielding and heat rejection.

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