Lockheed Martin to develop a nuclear spacecraft for the US military
Lockheed Martin received a contract to develop nuclear technologies for spacecraft under the JETSON program.
This was reported by Space.
Under the contract, the company will receive $33.7 million to develop powerful nuclear technologies and design spacecraft. The goal of the JETSON project is to launch a fission reactor in space that will produce heat to convert it into electricity using Stirling power converters. Such electricity can be used to power the payload of spacecraft or electric motors.
The reactor, which will be developed by Lockheed Martin, is based on a previous NASA demonstration called the Kilowatt Stirling Reactor Using Technology (KRUSTY), which took place in 2018. This project opens up prospects for the use of nuclear fission in space operations and could radically change the way we travel and explore space.
Lockheed Martin will work with Space Nuclear Power Corp (SpaceNukes) and BWX Technologies (BWXT) to develop these technologies. Both companies have experience in nuclear power and reactor design. Currently, the project is under preliminary review with a possible transition to the next stage of review.
In addition to Lockheed Martin, other companies are also involved in the JETSON project. Houston-based startup Intuitive Machines has been awarded a contract to develop a spacecraft concept using a compact radioisotope power system, and Westinghouse Government Services has been awarded a contract to continue research into the use of powerful nuclear fission systems in spacecraft.
