Rolls-Royce is developing a mini nuclear power plant for the moon, with plans to complete a demonstrator by 2029. As various space agencies plan manned missions to the moon and the construction of a lunar base, the UK Space Agency has announced it will fund the development of a nuclear power plant for the moon with £2.9m ($3.3m), led by Rolls-Royce. The company has been working on small modular reactors (SMRs) for use on Earth, and is now investigating how an SMR could power a future moon station. The project involves research institutions from Oxford, Brighton, Bangor and Sheffield, and will explore questions such as which fuel can be used, how to transfer the heat generated, and how to convert the heat into electricity.
The mini nuclear power plant could provide a permanent source of electricity for a moon station, independent of available sunlight. The project is part of a wider effort to establish a satellite-based communication and navigation network for the entire moon, with the UK Space Agency also supporting the European Space Agency’s “Moonlight” programme with £51m ($58m). While the development of SMRs is still in progress, the first SMR in Europe is being built in response to the energy crisis in the Czech Republic. If successful, the mini nuclear power plant could be a crucial step towards establishing a permanent moon station.
Rolls-Royce’s involvement in the project highlights the company’s commitment to developing sustainable energy solutions for both Earth and space. The company’s SMRs are designed to be more flexible and cost-effective than traditional nuclear power plants, and could play a key role in meeting the world’s growing energy demands. As space agencies continue to explore the moon and beyond, the development of mini nuclear power plants could provide a reliable source of electricity for future missions and settlements.
