Space | Rolls-Royce

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Rolls-Royce Space Exploration & Engineering

POWER TO EXPLORE OUR UNIVERSE

The power to protect our planet, secure our world and explore the universe

Space exploration is set to enable permanent habitation on the Moon before 2030.

But to reach the Moon, Mars or even further afield, we need reliable and safe power that works without access to sunlight, oxygen and fuelling stations.

Our decades of novel nuclear experience will work alongside our innovative integrated electric power and thermal management solutions, digital capabilities and engineering excellence to get us there.

Rolls-Royce Space Base

We’re working on two-stage-to-orbit (TSTO) systems such as gas turbines to power hypersonic planes that will take payloads to low Earth orbit, as well as nuclear thermal propulsion solutions to power fast, efficient rockets for space travel.

We’re also using our nuclear expertise to design small reactors that will power bases on the Moon or Mars, providing reliable and clean power for astronauts.

Jake Thompson, Head of Innovation Products and Services at Rolls-Royce, talks about the exciting opportunities in the Space domain and how Rolls-Royce can enable new missions with nuclear technologies.

Areas of focus and innovation

We’re developing gas turbines that will take hypersonic aircraft into low Earth orbit, combining high-Mach propulsion systems with gas turbine and ramjet technologies, as well as heat exchange and thermal management.

How our space technology supports businesses on the ground

The multi-domain applicability of our technology ensures our solutions will deliver the capability to support commercial and defence use cases in addition to the space domain, creating world-leading power and propulsion capability for multiple markets and operator needs.