Jul 25, 2024 · Fission surface power can provide abundant and continuous power regardless of environmental conditions on the Moon and Mars. NASA plans to demonstrate and use a fission surface power system on the Moon first, then Mars.

Jan 31, 2024 · NASA is wrapping up the initial phase of its Fission Surface Power Project, which focused on developing concept designs for a small, electricity-generating nuclear fission reactor that could be used during a future demonstration on the Moon and to …

#1: Design a fission power source that supports Lunar and Mars surface exploration requirements #2: Leverage Industry design capability and terrestrial power technology investments #3: Build and ground test a flight-qualified, fully-integrated power …

Aug 20, 2020 · A fission surface power system works by splitting uranium atoms inside a reactor to generate heat that is then converted to electricity. This is the same physical process used by terrestrial reactors to generate power for use in homes, businesses, and industrial applications.

Fission power systems can provide abundant and continuous surface power in all environmental conditions on the Moon and Mars: • Lunar night is 14.5 Earth days long and permanently shadowed regions may contain water ice. Surface nuclear power is required for a sustainable lunar presence •

Nov 30, 2022 · Small [1- to 10-kW (electric)–class] fission power systems (FPSs) are being developed to address a major gap in NASA’s power portfolio which could enable future flagship science missions and exploration precursor missions that may not otherwise be possible.

• Fission Surface Power • Nuclear Thermal Propulsion and Nuclear Electric Propulsion • It is an autonomous nuclear power system that is launched, placed on the Moon’s surface by a lander, transported to its operational location, activated, and connected to …

Jun 21, 2022 · The Phase 1 awards will provide NASA critical information from industry that can lead to a joint development of a full flight-certified fission power system. Fission surface power technologies also will help NASA mature nuclear propulsion systems that rely on reactors to generate power.

Fission Surface Power (FSP) project will advance the design, system integration, and test qualification for a nuclear powered electric generator capability that can be demonstrated on the surface of the Moon and that is extensible to NASA exploration needs for Mars.

Returning to the Moon's surface for human and robotic missions is within reach with the assistance of the Fission Surface Power (FSP) project. This project works toward providing a power-rich environment supporting lunar exploration.