The UK Space Conference was the ideal place to reveal the Micro-Reactor model, which generated cross-industry interest - including a visit from European Space Agency Astronaut, Major Tim Peake. The Rolls-Royce Novel Nuclear team were delighted to talk Tim through the model and the applications of our technology in Space.
In March 2023, Rolls-Royce secured funding of £2.9m from UK Space Agency, backing our research into how nuclear power could be used to support a future Moon base for astronauts. The technologies presented at the UK Space Conference are the culmination of this year’s research.
Scientists and engineers at Rolls-Royce, alongside strategic partners, have been working on several work packages under the UK Space Agency funded programme, to further strengthen its knowledge of these complex systems. The work packages have specifically focused 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.
All space missions depend on a power source and, as a self-contained and power-dense solution, a Micro-Reactor can provide power for the habitation and exploration of a planetary surface, or power and propulsion for spacecraft. Continuous power and efficient propulsion can also provide satellites with more flexible movement to protect and defend key orbits.
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 plan to have a reactor ready to send to the Moon by the early 2030s.
Rolls-Royce has worked alongside a variety of collaborators including the University of Oxford, Bangor University, Loughborough University, University of Sheffield AMRC, The Welding Institute and the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (NAMRC).
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, which also supports global net zero targets.