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Created: 2023-01-14
Updated: 2023-03-04
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.
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