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Related Topic: Space

USA awards space propulsion contracts

USA awards space propulsion contracts

The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has awarded contracts for the first phase of its Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations programme to demonstrate a nuclear thermal propulsion system above low Earth orbit in 2025. General Atomics will carry out reactor development work, while Blue Origin and Lockheed Martin will develop spacecraft concept designs.

New Nuclear 13 April 2021

Perseverance starts exploration of Mars

Perseverance starts exploration of Mars

NASA's Perseverance rover successfully touched down on Mars yesterday, 203 days after being launched from Cape Canaveral in Florida. The rover, which is powered by a Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator developed and fuelled in partnership with the US Department of Energy, will explore the Jezero Crater and collect samples that will eventually be returned to Earth.

New Nuclear 19 February 2021

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Mars 2020 rover gets radioisotope fuel

Nuclear power system delivered for Mars rover launch

GA delivers HALEU-fuelled reactor concept for Mars mission

Gryphon to help develop HALEU-fuelled cislunar rocket

USNC-Tech develops deep space propulsion system

US looks to nuclear propulsion systems to achieve space ambitions

Nuclear and Stirling engines spur space exploration

Perseverance starts exploration of Mars

USA awards space propulsion contracts

US Administration issues Space Policy Directive

US Administration issues Space Policy Directive

The US Administration has issued a new directive on the use of nuclear power and propulsion in space. Space Policy Directive-6 establishes high-level goals, principles, roles and responsibilities, and a supporting roadmap demonstrating the nation's commitment to the safe, effective and responsible use of space nuclear power and propulsion systems.

New Nuclear 17 December 2020

US looks to nuclear propulsion systems to achieve space ambitions

US looks to nuclear propulsion systems to achieve space ambitions

The US government yesterday announced the release of the National Space Policy, which advocates for developing and deploying nuclear power and propulsion systems on US space missions. The document specifies who, or which government agency, is responsible for various aspects of their development and deployment.

New Nuclear 10 December 2020

IAEA webinar addresses space safety

IAEA webinar addresses space safety

The International Atomic Energy Agency has developed arrangements to help countries respond quickly to protect the public and the environment in the event of an accident involving radioactive materials launched into orbit or travelling in spacecraft.

Regulation & Safety 29 October 2020

USNC-Tech develops deep space propulsion system

USNC-Tech develops deep space propulsion system

Ultra Safe Nuclear Technologies (USNC-Tech) - a subsidiary of Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation (USNC) - has developed a design concept as part of NASA-funded research into nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) systems for potential use in deep space travel. The concept uses a specialised variation of USNC's proprietary fully ceramic microencapsulated, tristructural isotropic fuel, developed for use in power reactors.

New Nuclear 23 October 2020

US DOE extends cooperation with space agency

US DOE extends cooperation with space agency

The US Department of Energy and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration have agreed to extend their existing cooperation by a further 10 years. One area for continued cooperation is space nuclear power and propulsion.

New Nuclear 21 October 2020

Gryphon to help develop HALEU-fuelled cislunar rocket

Gryphon to help develop HALEU-fuelled cislunar rocket

Gryphon Technologies has been awarded a USD14 million task order by the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to support its Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations programme. Specifically, Gryphon will support the development and demonstration of a high-assay, low-enriched uranium nuclear thermal propulsion system.

New Nuclear 30 September 2020

GA delivers HALEU-fuelled reactor concept for Mars mission

GA delivers HALEU-fuelled reactor concept for Mars mission

A design concept for a nuclear thermal propulsion reactor to power future astronaut missions to Mars has exceeded key performance parameters and optimised the reactor for manufacturability, General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems has announced. The reactor's features include a compact core thanks to the use of high-assay low-enriched uranium fuel.

New Nuclear 17 September 2020

Nuclear-powered rover takes off for Mars

Nuclear-powered rover takes off for Mars

NASA's Perseverance Mars rover successfully launched today from Cape Canaveral in Florida. The rover, which will be powered by a Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator developed at the US Department of Energy's Idaho National Laboratory, will land on Mars to begin exploration in February 2021.

New Nuclear 30 July 2020