NASA has awarded a contract to Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation (USNC) to manufacture and test fuel and develop the design of a nuclear thermal propulsion engine for near-term space missions. The contract, worth USD5 million, will allow USNC to move from the paper phase into hardware and build upon the foundations laid by NASA’s DRACO program. USNC will collaborate with its commercial partner, Blue Origin, to optimize the engine for civil science and cislunar space missions. This contract is a significant step towards the deployment of nuclear thermal propulsion for real payloads in space.
In a separate development, Space Nuclear Power Corporation (SpaceNukes) has partnered with Lockheed Martin Corporation and BWX Technologies for the JETSON nuclear electric propulsion demonstration project. The project aims to develop technologies and spacecraft concepts using nuclear fission for propulsion instead of solar panels. SpaceNukes, which is commercializing Kilopower space fission reactor technology, will design and guide the assembly of the nuclear reactor power system, while Lockheed Martin-Space will provide the spacecraft portion of the work. The collaboration seeks to harness the immense potential of fission power in space to create astounding and game-changing capabilities.
Framatome, a French company with 65 years of nuclear and industrial expertise, has announced the creation of Framatome Space to support the space industry with its nuclear knowledge. The company is currently involved in a feasibility study on a nuclear thermal propulsion engine and plans to manufacture TRISO particles on a commercial scale through a joint venture with USNC. Framatome recognizes the role of nuclear energy in facilitating faster and more efficient missions in the space industry. With its experience and expertise, the company aims to contribute to the future of space exploration and provide the necessary amount of energy for any development.
