This is Rolls-Royce’s future engine for space exploration

At the end of November, the British Space Conference was held in Belfast and gave the public an idea of ​​the nuclear future of next generation spacecraft and lunar bases. In that area actually Rolls-Royce presented his conceptual model of nuclear micro-reactor dedicated to space exploration.

The large number of manned and unmanned missions planned by different nations to the Moon and deep space makes it necessary to use reliable and always available energy sourcemore than solar panels.

Under the $3.6 million plan, funded byBritish Space AgencyRolls-Royce has been working on a new nuclear reactor to meet these needs.

This small high-performance spacecraft, scheduled to appear on the Moon early next decade, is designed to provide future human bases with the necessary power not only to handle large tasks and scientific research, but also to control the climate that they can cope with. sharp temperature differences between the lunar night and day.

The new reactor is also designed as a source of energy for electric propulsion systems which will extend the mission’s reach to the outer solar system and beyond. Future maintenance spacecraft, for example, will be able to move more easily and quickly between Earth orbits than is possible today.

Rolls-Royce scientists and engineers have divided the project into different parts (work packages) within the program. These work packages specifically focused on three important aspects of the future small reactor; The used oil generate heat, heat transfer method and ttransformative technology this heat into electricity.

Sister ClaytonRolls-Royce’s Director of Future Programs said: “This funding has enabled important research and technology development that brings us closer to the realization of a small space booster, allowing us to demonstrate how this technology will bring significant benefits to space and Earth (…) Microsystems technology will provide the ability to support commercial and defense use cases and also provide solutions for the industry to decarbonise and provide clean, safe and reliable energy.