Pultarova reported in early-December 2023 that the U.K. tech giant Rolls-Royce has unveiled a concept nuclear reactor that could power a future outpost on the moon. The mini reactor, which appears to be about 3.3 feet (1 meter) wide and 10 feet (3 m) long, is not yet capable of producing any electricity, and it will take about six years and a few million dollars to get it ready for its debut space trip, if all goes according to plan.
Rolls-Royce's planned nuclear reactor that could power an outpost on
the moon. (Image credit: Rolls-Royce)
The U.K. Space Agency awarded Rolls-Royce £2.9 million ($3.7 million U.S. at current exchange rates) in March of this year to fund the development of the potentially groundbreaking Moon tech, a mockup of which was unveiled at the U.K. Space Conference in Belfast last month.
"This funding has enabled crucial research and development of technologies that bring us closer to making the Micro-Reactor a reality," Abi Clayton, director of future programs at Rolls-Royce, said in a statement on Friday (Dec. 1). "Our Space Micro-Reactor Concept Model allows us to demonstrate how this technology will bring immense benefits for both space and Earth."
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