7 August 2026 year management of NASA, including administrator Jared Isaacman and associate administrator Amit Kshatriya, visited the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) for familiarization with work on nuclear reactors, including for the Space Reactor mission 1 Freedom (SR-1 Freedom).
SR-1 Freedom mission, scheduled to run at the end 2028 year, involves the use of nuclear reactor power 20 kW of electricity for powering the electric propulsion system. The device is to deliver a set of SkyFall helicopters to Mars. The mission is under consideration
as a precursor to future space nuclear power and propulsion systems.
Based on the results of the visit, NASA representatives confirmed the increase in confidence
in the possibility of launching the mission within the specified time. The Agency has completed a review of the synchronization of the project, has started procurement of main components and is preparing a modification of the contract with Intuitive Machines regarding the adaptation of the Power and Propulsion Element (PPE).
The mission reactor is based on the VALKRE concept, developed at INL, and will use high-grade low-enriched uranium (GO AWAY). The biggest challenge remains the timely procurement of components due to competition from commercial projects of small nuclear reactors.
NASA and INL emphasize close collaboration and focus on technology creation, which can be scaled for further missions, in particular the Lunar Reactor 1. One of the tasks of the program is the development of the reactor design, suitable for further transfer of industry.
Source: https://spacenews.com