Rolls-Royce developing nuclear reactor for Moon exploration

Rolls-Royce has won funding to develop a nuclear reactor that could be used to support a future Moon base for astronauts.

Scientists and engineers at the engineering giant are working on the ‘Micro-Reactor’ programme to develop technology that will provide power needed for humans to live and work on the Moon.

The project has now received £2.9 million of new funding from the UK Space Agency to deliver an initial demonstration of a UK lunar modular nuclear reactor.

Abi Clayton, director of future programmes at Rolls-Royce, said: “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.

“This funding will bring us further down the road in making the Micro-Reactor a reality, with the technology bringing immense benefits for both space and Earth.

“The technology will deliver the capability to support commercial and defence use cases alongside providing a solution to decarbonise industry and provide clean, safe and reliable energy.”

All space missions depend on a power source to support systems for communications, life-support and science experiments.

The UK Space Agency believes nuclear power has the potential to dramatically increase the duration of future lunar missions and their scientific value.

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.

Derby is home to Rolls-Royce’s defence division, which supplies reactors for use in nuclear submarines. It is also home to the Nuclear Skills Academy, which is training hundreds of nuclear engineering apprentices every year.

The firm said it plans to have a reactor ready to send to the Moon by 2029.

It is working alongside a variety of collaborators, including the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (BH), which is currently creating a new base at Infinity Park Derby.

According to the UK Space Agency, 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.

Dr Paul Bate, chief executive of the UK Space Agency, said: “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.

“This innovative research by Rolls-Royce could lay the groundwork for powering continuous human presence on the Moon, while enhancing the wider UK space sector, creating jobs and generating further investment.”

George Freeman, minister of state at the department of science, innovation and technology, said: “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.

“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.”