Pioneering the Celestial Frontier: Rolls-Royce Explores Moon-Based Nuclear Power Plant

• 21 May 2023
• Construction Focus
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The UK Space Agency (UKSA) has unveiled its endorsement of Rolls-Royce’s visionary research into constructing a nuclear power plant on the moon, an innovative endeavour poised to extend the mission duration of astronauts and revolutionize space exploration.

Recognizing the imperative need for a sustainable and reliable power source to enable prolonged lunar missions, Rolls-Royce, renowned for its engineering excellence in sectors beyond automotive, has embarked on an ambitious project to develop a moon-ready nuclear power by 2029.

The UKSA has committed a substantial fund of approximately US$3.52 million to support the comprehensive research and development required for this groundbreaking mission, as reported by CNBC in March this year.

Collaborating with esteemed institutions such as the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, Nuclear AMRC, and the University of Oxford, Rolls-Royce aims to overcome the inherent challenges of lunar habitation.

With an environment devoid of breathable air and liquid water, conventional renewable energy sources are unviable. Nuclear power emerges as the optimal solution, offering unparalleled energy generation capabilities for sustained lunar operations. However, significant hurdles remain, including enhancing electricity generation efficiency and addressing the management of radioactive waste, acknowledges Rolls-Royce.

The additional funding from UKSA empowers researchers to delve into these critical areas, driving innovation and establishing optimal systems to propel humanity’s celestial ambitions forward. By harnessing nuclear power’s potential, Rolls-Royce envisions a future where astronauts can reside and thrive on the lunar surface during long-term missions, marking a pivotal step towards the expansion of human presence in space.

• Technology and Engineering