Related Topic: Space

Podcast: How nuclear 'waste' can save lives (and power spacecraft)

Professor Tim Tinsley outlines how material extracted from the UK's legacy nuclear material is being used in pioneering cancer treatments and for powering future space missions - and considers whether long-term disposal plans now need to take into account the current and potential future value in the material.

Other News 01 April 2024

Nuclear projects receive UK space funding boost

Two projects featuring nuclear energy are among 11 international space projects selected to receive funding from the UK Space Agency. Rolls-Royce's collaboration with BWXT receives GBP1.18 million (USD1.5 million) to further its work on fission nuclear systems for space power missions, while an international project led by the University of Leicester receives GBP800,000.

New Nuclear 08 April 2024

Zeno Power's first full-scale radioisotope power systems will be fuelled by strontium-90 material recycled from a legacy radioisotope generator under a new public-private partnership with the US Department of Energy Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management. The company has also announced a partnership with Westinghouse to fabricate the heat sources for its systems.

New Nuclear 30 January 2024

Canadian collaboration to explore isotope production for space exploration

The Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council and nuclear innovation company Nuclear Promise X will explore the feasibility of using Canadian nuclear reactors to produce plutonium-238 for use in deep space exploration.

Corporate 05 January 2024

Moon base micro-reactor concept unveiled by Rolls-Royce

The results of a UK Space Agency backed research programme have been unveiled by Rolls-Royce, with the company saying it aims to have a micro-reactor ready to send to the Moon by the early 2030s.

New Nuclear 04 December 2023

Nuclear companies sign up for space technology missions

With nuclear technology set to underpin new developments in space travel, NASA has awarded Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation a contract to manufacture and test fuel and develop the design of a nuclear thermal propulsion engine for near-term missions. Separately, Space Nuclear Power Corporation has partnered with Lockheed Martin Corporation and BWX Technologies for the US Space Force/Air Force's JETSON nuclear electric propulsion demonstration project, while Framatome has announced the creation of a new brand, Framatome Space.

New Nuclear 20 October 2023

BWXT to begin work on cislunar nuclear rocket engine and fuel

The USA's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has finalised an agreement with Lockheed Martin to begin work on the fabrication and design of an experimental nuclear thermal rocket and its engine. BWX Technologies, one of Lockheed Martin's partners in the effort, will develop the nuclear reactor and fabricate the HALEU fuel.

New Nuclear 26 July 2023

CEA feasibility studies on nuclear propulsion in space

The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission is conducting two feasibility studies on nuclear propulsion for the European Space Agency, which could pave the way for missions to Mars and beyond.

New Nuclear 22 June 2023

Nuclear-powered 'flashlight' to be developed for lunar studies

An X-ray "flashlight" which would use an energy source based on Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation's EmberCore nuclear chargeable ceramic technology to map the lunar surface has been selected for early-stage funding under the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts programme.

New Nuclear 19 June 2023

USNC delivers TRISO particle fuel to NASA

Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation has delivered uranium nitride coated uranium oxycarbide tristructural isotropic fuel to NASA's Space Nuclear Power and Propulsion programme. The company says this demonstrates the "flexibility, precision and value" of its Pilot Fuel Manufacturing Facility.

Uranium & Fuel 14 June 2023

Our Privacy and Cookies Policy