Several lightweight generators must together supply 40 kilowatts of power; enough to supply 30 households with uninterrupted electricity for ten years.

Meanwhile, plans to go back to the moon are getting more concrete. But exploration of the Moon – and later Mars – requires not only strong human imagination and vision. Electricity is also simply required. NASA does have ideas about that. The aim is to build a real nuclear reactor on the moon in the short term.

Power on the moon

When the Apollo astronauts landed on the moon, they had power for only a few days. They had enough batteries and fuel cells. But if we want to spend longer on the moon and even build base camps, we need a long-lasting energy source that can generate enough electricity to power scientific activity and discovery. Our natural satellite will soon be permanently occupied by astronauts. And just for lighting a simple light, but also when conducting experiments, electricity is a requirement. In short, power is an essential component for people traveling to the moon. A reliable and efficient energy system is therefore essential.

Nuclear reactor

NASA is now toying with the idea of ​​providing astronauts on the moon with energy through a nuclear reactor. It is a lightweight system that must be able to function properly regardless of the location, the weather or the available sunlight.

Artist’s impression of a nuclear fission system on the Moon. Image: NASA

NASA has in mind four lightweight generators, each capable of supplying ten kilowatts of electrical power for at least ten continuous years. In total, that comes down to 40 kilowatts of electricity. By comparison, that’s enough to power 30 households continuously for ten years. A nice thought for the future moon settlers.

Why a nuclear reactor?

Why NASA chooses a nuclear fission system? Mainly because it is reliable. Such systems function everywhere and at all times; also in dark craters and during week-long moon nights, when generating energy from sunlight is difficult. In addition, nuclear reactors are powerful and can provide enough energy to enable major operations on the Moon and Mars. Finally, nuclear reactors can be very compact and lightweight.

The fact that NASA wants to build a nuclear reactor does not mean that the agency is ignoring other forms of energy generation. The idea is that nuclear reactors, in combination with solar cells, batteries and fuel cells, collectively provide enough energy to drive rovers, conduct experiments and provide a livelihood for astronauts.

According to NASA, a nuclear reactor is a safe, efficient and reliable way to generate electricity on the moon. “Abundant energy will hold the key to future space exploration,” said NASA’s Jim Reuter. “I expect nuclear fission systems to benefit our plans to generate electricity on the Moon and Mars and even lead to innovations for use here on Earth.”

American companies

NASA is now asking American companies to design such nuclear reactors that will be ready within ten years and can be used on the moon. The system must be able to function autonomously from the deck of a lunar lander or a lunar rover. “NASA is working with the Department of Energy (DOE) on this important and challenging development that, once completed, will be an incredible step toward human exploration of the Moon and Mars,” said NASA project leader Todd Tofil.

Over the next twelve months, several competing US companies will develop a promising first design. After that, it will be decided which system will travel to the moon for a demonstration mission.