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Related Topic: Nuclear Propulsion

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

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US looks to nuclear propulsion systems to achieve space ambitions

USNC-Tech develops deep space propulsion system

US Administration issues Space Policy Directive

Nuclear power system delivered for Mars rover launch

Contract for first two Columbia class submarines for US Navy

Arktika icebreaker embarks on first mission

UK generates usable electricity from americium

GA delivers HALEU-fuelled reactor concept for Mars mission

Nuclear and Stirling engines spur space exploration

Arktika icebreaker completes first mission

Arktika icebreaker completes first mission

Russia's new nuclear-powered icebreaker, Arktika, today completed its first operational voyage - piloting the Siyaniye Severa dry cargo ship to the entrance of the Gulf of Ob in the Russian Arctic, Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom has announced.

New Nuclear 24 November 2020

Arktika icebreaker embarks on first mission

Arktika icebreaker embarks on first mission

Russia's new nuclear-powered icebreaker, Arktika, has started its first operational voyage. The vessel left the port of Murmansk on 14 November, headed towards the Kara Sea. It will operate in the waters of the Northern Sea Route until mid-December.

New Nuclear 17 November 2020

Contract for first two Columbia class submarines for US Navy

Contract for first two Columbia class submarines for US Navy

The US Navy has awarded General Dynamics Electric Boat a USD9.5 billion contract modification option for construction and testing of the first two Columbia class nuclear-powered submarines, as well as associated design and engineering support. Electric Boat - a wholly owned subsidiary of aerospace and defence firm General Dynamics - is the prime contractor on the Columbia programme, which will replace the aging Ohio class of ballistic missile submarines.

New Nuclear 09 November 2020

Putin decrees development of Arctic with more nuclear icebreakers

Putin decrees development of Arctic with more nuclear icebreakers

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed an executive order, On the Strategy for Developing the Russian Arctic Zone and Ensuring National Security until 2035, which foresees the construction of at least five new nuclear-powered icebreakers of the Project 22220 series, and three of the Project 10510 series. The vessels are needed to ensure year-round navigation along the Northern Sea Route.

New Nuclear 30 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