A new study urges the United States to urgently begin developing space-based nuclear power systems, in order to keep up with global rivals - in particular, China and Russia, who are already working together on a megawatt nuclear facility for their future lunar project.
A report called Weighing the Future: Strategic Options for U.S. Space Nuclear Leadership, prepared by Bhavya Lal (former NASA Deputy Administrator for Technology and Strategy) and Roger Myers (by an Aerojet Rocketdyne expert), analyzed the reasons for the failure of previous US attempts to create nuclear systems for space.
From 1965 year, when the US launched the SNAP-10A space nuclear reactor for the first time, no large-scale project was implemented, despite billion-dollar investments. The researchers called it “R&D hell”, in which only reports are generated, not technology.
The main problems: no mission request
The authors of the report came to a conclusion, that the main reason for the failure is the lack of constant demand for such technologies - there are no missions, which require powerful nuclear energy, and therefore there is no incentive to invest in development, demonstrations and implementation.
However, today the situation is changing. One of the key drivers is geopolitical rivalry. If China launches a megawatt reactor on the moon, it can establish restricted access zones under the guise of security – and actually control resource areas.
As on Earth, rule in space: whoever is first sets the rules.
Three proposed scenarios
1. “Go Big or Go Home”
State power project 100-500 kW.
– Budget: $3 billion
– Ground tests - 2028 year
– Demonstration in space - 2030 year
– Potentially used for nuclear electric propulsion
2. “Chessmaster’s Gambit”
Two parallel public-private partnerships:
– NASA - development of a system for surface energy (example, on the moon)
– The Pentagon is a system for power supply in outer space
– Each of the agencies will receive approx $1 billion
– The same terms - 2028-2030
3. Radioisotope systems based on alternative isotopes (americium-241, strontium-90):
– Power <1 kW
– The goal is to gain field experience
– The first flights are already in 2028 year
– This option is called “plan B”, which allows time and flexibility
Not drivers, and energy
Interesting, that the research does not focus on nuclear motion, namely on energy, because:
– demand for electricity is increasing
– technically easier to implement
– fewer regulatory hurdles
– the nuclear movement currently has no clear customers
Who should lead the process?
There is no unequivocal answer to this question yet.
– Some panelists suggest creating a new structure - by analogy with the Manhattan Project
– Others are to expand NASA's authority or create an Office of Nuclear Technology within NASA, modeled after the US Naval Reactor Administration
– Importantly: the main thing is to ensure institutional stability and full concentration of resources
Source: https://spacenews.com/new-study-calls-for-rapid-development-of-space-nuclear-power-systems/