Westinghouse Awarded NASA-DOE Contract to Continue Development of Space Microreactor Concept
NASA and DOE Continue Collaboration with Westinghouse on Fission Surface Power Project
CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Westinghouse Electric Company announced today that NASA, working with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), has selected Westinghouse to continue development of a space microreactor design through the Fission Surface Power (FSP) project.
The FSP project is focused on developing concept designs for small, electricity-generating nuclear fission reactors that could provide astronauts a reliable power supply for use on the moon and beyond. This contract, awarded by Idaho National Laboratory (INL), will build on the successful design work Westinghouse completed during Phase 1 to optimize its contributions to the design of FSP systems and their configuration, and begin testing of critical technology elements. The continued progress under the FSP project can enable NASA’s goal of a lunar demonstration within the next decade.
“Westinghouse appreciates the opportunity to continue demonstrating its leadership in designing microreactors for space and lunar exploration missions,” said Richard Rademacher, President, Westinghouse Government Services. “This award reflects our close collaboration with NASA and the progress we’ve made on the FSP program that will enable a strategic capability for the Artemis mission. We look forward to testing and demonstrating our proprietary microreactor technology in the coming years under this important NASA initiative.”
NASA’s FSP program expands on the efforts of the agency’s Kilopower project to develop affordable fission nuclear power technologies for long-duration stays on planetary surfaces. Currently, NASA is working with DOE to design a fission power system that would provide up to 40 kilowatts of power – enough to continuously run 30 households for 10 years. A future lunar demonstration will pave the way for sustainable operations and base camps on the Moon and Mars.
Westinghouse is leveraging its eVinciTM microreactor technology to develop a resilient and mass efficient nuclear electric power and propulsion system for satellite, spacecraft and planetary surface power applications. Building on decades of industry-leading Westinghouse innovation to bring carbon-free, safe and scalable energy wherever it is needed for a variety of applications, the eVinci microreactor generates reliable electricity and heating for remote communities, universities, mining operations, industrial centers, data centers, defense facilities, and soon the lunar surface and beyond. These resilient microreactors have very few moving parts, providing versatility for mission types with the reduction of failure points, simple operation and increased reliability for the harsh environment of space.
Westinghouse Electric Company is shaping the future of carbon-free energy by providing safe, innovative nuclear and other clean power technologies and services globally. Westinghouse supplied the world’s first commercial pressurized water reactor in 1957 and the company’s technology is the basis for nearly one-half of the world’s operating nuclear plants. Over 135 years of innovation makes Westinghouse the preferred partner for advanced technologies covering the complete nuclear energy life cycle. For more information, visit www.westinghousenuclear.com and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and X.
About Idaho National Laboratory
Battelle Energy Alliance manages INL for DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy. INL is the nation’s center for nuclear energy research and development, celebrating 75 years of scientific innovations in 2024. The laboratory performs research in each of DOE’s strategic goal areas: energy, national security, science and the environment. For more information, visit www.inl.gov. Follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.
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