Rolls-Royce Awarded $1 Million NASA Contract for Space-Based Nuclear Microreactors

Rally-Royce space micro reactor

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Insider Brief:

  • Rolls-Royce has secured a $1 million contract from NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland.
  • During the 12-month contract, Rolls-Royce LibertyWorks will provide a preliminary design for a closed-cycle Brayton power conversion system.
  • The closed-cycle Brayton power conversion system will contribute to the next generation of space-based nuclear microreactors.

Rolls-Royce has secured a $1 million contract from NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. The 12-month contract entails developing a preliminary design for an Advanced Closed Brayton Cycle converter. The closed-cycle Brayton power conversion system will contribute to the next generation of space-based nuclear microreactors.

John Shade, Rolls-Royce’s executive vice president of business development and future programs, noted the significance of this investment in advancing microreactor power conversion technology, discussing its role in enabling reliable and efficient power sources for space exploration.

Rolls-Royce is recognized for its leadership in developing innovative technologies for clean, safe, and competitive nuclear power systems. As part of Project PELE, a U.S. Department of Defense initiative, the company is contributing critical system solutions for a transportable and resilient nuclear reactor. Additionally, Rolls-Royce is collaborating with the U.K. Space Agency on concept designs for space reactor systems.

Image credit: Rolls-Royce

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