Scientists and engineers at Rolls-Royce are working on the
Micro-Reactor programme to develop technology that will provide
power needed for humans to live and work on the Moon. All space
missions depend on a power source, to support systems for
communications, life-support and science experiments. Nuclear
power has the potential to dramatically increase the duration of
future Lunar missions and their scientific value.
The UK Space Agency has announced £2.9 million of new funding for
the project which will deliver an initial demonstration of a UK
lunar modular nuclear reactor. This follows a £249,000 study
funded by the UK Space Agency in 2022.
Minister of State at the Department of Science, Innovation and
Technology, , said:
Space exploration is the ultimate laboratory for so many of the
transformational technologies we need on Earth: from materials to
robotics, nutrition, cleantech and much more.
As we prepare to see humans return to the Moon for the first time
in more than 50 years, we are backing exciting research like this
lunar modular reactor with Rolls-Royce to pioneer new power
sources for a lunar base.
Partnerships like this, between British industry, the UK Space
Agency and government are helping to create jobs across our
£16 billion SpaceTech sector and help ensure the UK continues to
be a major force in frontier science.
Nuclear space power is anticipated to create new skilled jobs
across the UK to support the burgeoning UK space economy.
Rolls-Royce plan to have a reactor ready to send to the Moon by
2029.
Relatively small and lightweight compared to other power systems,
a nuclear micro-reactor could enable continuous power regardless
of location, available sunlight, and other environmental
conditions.
Rolls-Royce will be working alongside a variety of collaborators
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 means Rolls-Royce can further strengthen its knowledge of
these complex systems, with a focus on three key features of the
Micro-Reactor; the fuel used to generate heat, the method of heat
transfer and technology to convert that heat into electricity.
The potential applications of Rolls-Royce Micro-Reactor
technology are wide-ranging and could support commercial and
defence use cases in addition to those in space. The aim is to
create a world-leading power and propulsion capability for
multiple markets and operator needs, alongside a clean,
green and long-term power source.
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.
Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, 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.
The partnership with Rolls-Royce comes after the UK Space Agency
recently announced £51 million of funding
available for UK companies to develop communication and
navigation services for missions to the Moon, as part of the
European Space Agency’s Moonlight programme, which aims to launch
a constellation of satellites into orbit around the Moon.
This will allow future astronauts, rovers, science experiments
and other equipment to communicate, share large amounts of data
including high-definition video, and navigate safely across the
lunar surface.
