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
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.
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
Power Beaming, Resources - Energy
LunaGrid
Resources - Energy, Lunar Power Service
Development
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
Power Beaming, Resources - Energy, Space Solar Power
Dormant, Early stage
Eternal Light Photonics Corp
Resources - Energy, Space Solar Power, Power Beaming, 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
SPRINT, SPEAR
Resources - Energy, Nuclear Radioisotope Power, Solar Thermal Propulsion, Active Debris Removal (ADR)
Idea
IX (Intuitive Machines, X-Energy)
Power Beaming, Resources - Energy, Lunar Electric Grid, Space Solar Power
Litepulse
Space Situational Awareness (SSA), Resources - Energy
Development, Cancelled
Resources - Energy, Lunar Electric Grid
Dormant, Concept
Farview Observatory
In-Space Manufacturing, Resources - Energy
TerraBox
Resources - Energy, Resources - Oxygen, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), In-Space Manufacturing
Space Solar Power Incremental Demonstrations and Research (SSPIDR)
Space Solar Power, Resources - Energy
Resources - Energy, Hardware
P3 (Power, Prospecting and Propellant)
Resources - Energy, Power Beaming, Propellant Refilling, Propellant Refuel Station
Resources - Energy, Power Beaming
Direct Fusion Drive (DFD)
Nuclear Fission Power, Nuclear Radioisotope Power, 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
Pylon
Resources - Energy, Nuclear Fission Power, Commercial Rover, Orbital Transportation
Xe-100 Reactor
X-Wheel
Resources - Energy, Nuclear Radioisotope Power
Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Orbital Transportation, Nuclear Fission Power