Rolls-Royce has just presented a mini nuclear reactor intended to provide energy for the next manned missions to the Moon.
Resting foot on the moon is one of the major objectives of NASA, with its Artemis missions. But to be able to carry out long enough missions on site, we must be able to provide the astronauts with energy. A problem that the British giant Rolls-Royce tackled, to finally bring a new type of nuclear reactor into the world!
From solar to nuclear in space
How can we meet the energy needs of astronauts who will finally set foot on the moon? The usual answer is to equip them with solar panels, with which they can convert the sun’s rays into electricity. This is what is particularly installed on the rovers of Chinese or Indian missions. Except that, the problem is, the moon is plunged into darkness for two weeks every month.
So to deal with this, Rolls-Royce has created a miniature nuclear reactor that can be carried by astronauts. With a width of 1 meter and a length of 3 meters, it has the perfect dimensions to fit into the small space of a rocket. Using atomic fission, it has already benefited from 2.9 million pounds sterling (around 3.37 million euros) in subsidy from the British space agency.
Uses on Earth also planned
Presented at the United Kingdom Space Conference, which was held last month in Belfast, the mini-nuclear reactor is not yet completed. It was the concept of the technology that will be used that was proposed to the public. Rolls-Royce hopes to be able to complete it within six years, and install it for a lunar mission by 2029.
Scientists on the development team are currently looking for a way to transform nuclear reactions into electricity that is more practical than what is usually done on our blue planet. As a reminder, in our power plants, the heat produced by the fission of atoms boils water, the steam of which then turns a turbine, itself connected to an alternator, which ultimately produces electricity.
Note that even if it was originally built for lunar missions, this mini-reactor could, according to Rolls-Royce, also be used in numerous configurations on planet Earth. “ Micro-reactor technology will help meet commercial and military needs while providing a solution to decarbonize industry and provide clean, safe and reliable energy » said the director of future programs at Rolls-Royce Abi Clayton.
Source : Space.com
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