Rolls-Royce is to get several million pounds of financial backing from the UK Space Agency to try and work out how nuclear energy can be used to power a future moon base.
Scientists and engineers at Rolls-Royce are developing a micro-reactor programme which could one day provide power for operations on the lunar surface – supporting communications, life-support and science experiments.
The Derby-based engineering company said nuclear power – providing a “clean, green and long-term power source” – had the potential to dramatically increase the duration of future lunar missions and their scientific value, when people finally return. The last man on the moon was Gene Cernan, in December 1972.
The UK Space Agency said it will put £2.9 million of new funding into the project to build a demonstration of a UK lunar modular nuclear reactor. The investment follows a £249,000 study funded by the UK Space Agency last year.
Rolls-Royce wants to have a reactor ready to send to the moon by 2029, and is working with partners including the University of Oxford, University of Bangor, University of Brighton, University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) and Nuclear AMRC.
The funding will be used to focus on three key features of a micro-reactor – the fuel used to generate heat, heat transfer and the technology needed to convert heat into electricity.
It said nuclear micro-reactors are relatively small and lightweight compared to other sources of power, and provide continuous energy regardless of location, sunlight or other environmental conditions. Micro-reactor technology could also have commercial and defence applications.
The UK Space Agency recently announced £51 million of funding for UK companies to develop communication and navigation services for missions to the moon, as part of a European Space Agency Moonlight programme to launch a constellation of satellites into orbit around the moon.
That will allow future astronauts, rovers, science experiments and other equipment to communicate, share large amounts of data such as high-definition video, and navigate safely across the lunar surface.
Abi Clayton, director of Future Programmes for Rolls-Royce said: “The new tranche of funding from the UK Space Agency means so much for the Rolls-Royce micro-reactor programme.
“We’re proud to work collaboratively with the UK Space Agency and the many UK academic institutions to showcase the best of UK innovation and knowledge in space.
“This funding will bring us further down the road in making the micro-reactor a reality, with the technology bringing immense benefits for both space and earth. The technology will deliver the capability to support commercial and defence use cases alongside providing a solution to decarbonise industry and provide clean, safe and reliable energy.”
UK Space Agency chief executive Dr Paul Bate said: “We are backing technology and capabilities to support ambitious space exploration missions and boost sector growth across the UK.
“Developing space nuclear power offers a unique chance to support innovative technologies and grow our nuclear, science and space engineering skills base.
“This innovative research by Rolls-Royce could lay the groundwork for powering continuous human presence on the moon, while enhancing the wider UK space sector, creating jobs and generating further investment.”
