- The U.S. Department of Defense is advancing autonomous reactor technology to support national security missions.
- The contract supports the development and testing of advanced reactor control technologies.
- SpaceNukes will design and conduct ground testing of kilowatt-scale reactors.
- The technology has potential applications in space exploration and remote facilities.
The United States has taken significant steps to advance autonomous reactor operations in response to national security missions. To this end, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded an Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) to Space Nuclear Power Corporation, known as SpaceNukes, as part of the Fast Capacitance (Fat Cat) program.
The contract supports the development and ground testing of advanced reactor control technologies, aimed at expanding the proven capabilities of U.S. nuclear energy.
Ongoing Development of Nuclear Technology
The recent award continues the ongoing development of nuclear technology and is directly based on SpaceNukes' successful history of nuclear demonstrations. Patrick McClure, Chief Operating Officer of SpaceNukes, stated, "This award recognizes the maturity and continuity of the team that designed, built, and tested KRUSTY." In 2018, key members of the SpaceNukes team conducted foundational work on the Kilopower Reactor Using Stirling Technology (KRUSTY) during their time at Los Alamos National Laboratory and NASA, marking the first full-power ground test of a new U.S. space reactor in fifty years.
Technology, the only full-power ground test of a new U.S. space reactor in fifty years.
McClure noted, "We are proud to collaborate with Dr. Dodson and Los Alamos National Laboratory to deliver the next demonstration step for U.S. nuclear energy." Under the current agreement, SpaceNukes and Los Alamos National Laboratory will design, build, and conduct subsequent ground testing of kilowatt-scale reactors, which will incorporate active control rod operations, representing a more advanced approach than the passive control architecture demonstrated in the 2018 KRUSTY test.
Goals and Structure of the Fat Cat Program
According to a press release, the Fat Cat program aims to advance autonomous reactor operations to support national security missions. The program's phased structure includes design, procurement, and integration stages, ultimately leading to ground demonstrations, production of nuclear-tested hardware, and the engineering foundation for autonomous active control of reactor operations. Integration work will take place at SpaceNukes' workshop in Medina, Ohio, led by Chief Engineer Marc Gibson. The project will enable U.S. industry to provide reliable nuclear energy across a broader range of mission areas, including various operational conditions requiring dynamic power management and rapid response.
Applications of Technology in Space Exploration
Andy Phelps, CEO of SpaceNukes, stated, "When it comes to U.S. national security objectives, there is no substitute for proven technology." He added, "This award allows us to advance the work initiated by the KRUSTY program and bring another tested capability to the nation." The technology may have significant applications in space exploration, including providing power for future lunar bases, scientific instruments, and long-duration space missions. Nuclear energy is also quite useful in areas with limited sunlight or where reliance on solar panels cannot provide reliable energy.
Similar systems have the potential to support remote facilities and certain defense applications that require reliable power sources. However, these are merely potential applications of the technology and do not confirm that the reactor is ready for operational deployment. The project's significance lies in its aim to transition from demonstrating small nuclear reactors to developing more advanced systems capable of actively controlling their own operations. Next steps include developing designs, integrating necessary components, and conducting ground tests to evaluate the performance of the controllers.
Importance of Autonomous Reactor Technology
The advancement of autonomous reactor technology is crucial for U.S. national security, as it can provide stable and reliable energy, particularly in space exploration and remote areas. As technology progresses, these reactors will be able to actively control operations, enhancing their adaptability in various environments. This not only helps meet defense needs but could also transform future energy supply models, especially in situations with limited sunlight. With the development of new reactors, future missions will be able to rely on more flexible energy solutions.