US-based Zeno Power is currently developing americium-241-fuelled radioisotope power systems for the US space agency NASA to power lunar rovers, landers and potential infrastructure on the Moon.
In the past, power systems have utilised plutonium-238 as a fuel source, but its limited supply and increasing demand has led to the search for alternatives. Americium-241 has a half-life of more than 430 years, meaning power systems can last for decades and it is produced naturally through the decay of other isotopes found in used nuclear fuel.
The two companies have been working together since 2022 to explore the potential production of americium-241 and its feasibility.
Zeno and Orano teams standing on the securely stored nuclear waste at the la Hague site (Image: Orano)
Jean-Luc Palayer, CEO of Orano USA, said: "Americium-241 represents a powerful opportunity to demonstrate the real-world value of used nuclear fuel recycling. Our collaboration with Zeno shows how industrial-scale recovery of valuable isotopes can create entirely new markets and enable innovative ideas to become reality. As we like to say: It’s only waste if you waste it."
Harsh S Desai, CCO at Zeno Power, said: "With Orano's world-class operational recycling expertise, we can now harness americium-241 (Am-241) as a new fuel source for the burgeoning demand for nuclear power. We are proud to partner with Orano to establish a commercial supply chain for Am-241, transforming recycled material into reliable power for missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond."
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