NASA wants to build a nuclear power plant on the moon

NASA plans to build a nuclear base and power plant on the moon by 2026 and is inviting proposals from companies ready to accept the challenge.

According to a statement released by the Department of Energy, the plan calls for the construction of a 10 kW class fission surface power system to be used for demonstration purposes. The plant must be manufactured and assembled on Earth and then shipped to the Moon in a launch vehicle. This vehicle will take the plant into lunar orbit, from where a lander will take it to the satellite’s surface.

The demonstration will continue for a year and, if successful, could open the door to other missions to both the Moon and Mars.

“Once the technology has been demonstrated through demonstration, future systems could be expanded or more units could be used together for long-duration missions to the Moon and eventually Mars,” said Anthony Calomino, Head of Nuclear Technology Portfolio. NASA at Space Technology Mission Directorate.

“Four units, each providing 10 kilowatts of electricity, would provide enough power to establish an outpost on the Moon or Mars. The ability to produce large amounts of electricity on planetary surfaces using a fission surface energy system would allow for large-scale exploration, human outpost creation and resource utilization in situ, while allowing for commercialization. “.

The resources of the Moon, although unproven, have been the subject of conversation for quite some time. Over the past decade or so, several lunar missions have sprung up, trying to explore the Earth’s natural satellite for minerals and hydrogen.

The nuclear power plant demonstrator will have the ability to run for 10 years, according to plan, with its generating capacity sufficient to power the equivalent of three or four large families.

By Irina Slav for Oil “

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