Rolls-Royce has announced that it has secured funding from UK Space Agency to back moon exploration research. The research will be conducted on how nuclear power could be used to support a future moon base for astronauts.
Scientists and engineers at Rolls-Royce are working on developing a micro-reactor programme that will be able to provide power for humans to reside on the moon.
Nuclear power has the potential to increase the duration of moon missions and their scientific value.
The £2.9 million ($3.55 million) funding will deliver a demonstration of a UK lunar module nuclear reactor which follows a study also funded by the UK Space Agency in 2022.
“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,” said George Freeman, Minister of State at the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology.
“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,” he added.
“Partnerships like this, between British industry, the UK Space Agency and government are helping to create jobs across our £16 billion Space Tech 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,” Freeman further explained.
Rolls-Royce Micro-Reactor Programme
A micro-reactor is comparatively smaller and lighter than other power systems and could enable continuous power regardless of environmental factors or location.
Rolls-Royce will work alongside collaborators including the University of Oxford, University of Brighton, Nuclear AMRC and more.
The micro-reactor could also support commercial and defence cases alongside space exploration.
“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,” said Abi Clayton, Director of Future Programmes for Rolls-Royce.
“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,” said Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency.
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