Insider Brief:
- Rolls-Royce has secured £2.9 million in new funding from the UK Space Agency to advance its research into using nuclear power to support a future Moon base for astronauts.
- The Micro-Reactor programme at Rolls-Royce is focused on developing technology that will provide the power needed for humans to live and work on the Moon
- Project collaborators include the University of Oxford, the University of Bangor, the University of Brighton, the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), and Nuclear AMRC.
- Image credit: Rolls-Royce.
Rolls-Royce has received £2.9 million in new funding from the UK Space Agency to advance its research into using nuclear power to support a future Moon base for astronauts. This latest investment follows a previous £249,000 study funded by the UK Space Agency in 2022.
The Micro-Reactor programme at Rolls-Royce is focused on developing technology that will provide the power needed for humans to live and work on the Moon as reported by Rolls-Royce. All space missions require a reliable power source to support critical systems such as communications, life-support, and scientific experiments. Nuclear power has the potential to significantly increase the duration and valueable scientific results of future Lunar missions.
Collaboration and Expertise
Rolls-Royce will be working alongside a diverse team of collaborators, including the University of Oxford, the University of Bangor, the University of Brighton, the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), and Nuclear AMRC. This collaboration will allow Rolls-Royce to further strengthen its knowledge and expertise in the complex systems required for a lunar nuclear reactor, focusing on fuel, heat transfer, and electricity generation.
Potential Applications and Benefits
The potential applications of Rolls-Royce’s Micro-Reactor technology are wide-ranging, with the ability to support commercial and defense use cases in addition to space exploration. The aim is to create a world-leading power and propulsion capability that can provide a clean, green, and long-term power source for multiple markets and operator needs.
Commitment to Innovation and Growth
Minister of State, George Freeman discussed the importance of partnerships between industry, the UK Space Agency, and the government in driving progress in frontier science and creating new skilled jobs across the £16 billion UK space economy. The investment in Rolls-Royce’s project is a step towards this goal.
Rolls-Royce’s Director of Future Programmes, Abi Clayton, expressed the company’s pride in collaborating with the UK Space Agency and academic institutions to showcase the best of UK innovation and knowledge in space.
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