The UK Space Agency today gave Rolls-Royce more than 3.3 million euros for the project, after it previously invested money in a study into the possibility of a nuclear reactor on the moon.
The so-called micro-reactor could enable a ‘permanent human presence on the moon’, says UK Space Agency chief Paul Bate. Compared to other sources of energy, he says a small, lightweight nuclear reactor offers the best solution to power the lunar base, “regardless of location, available sunlight and other circumstances.”
Nuclear power plants
It may sound like something out of a James Bond movie, but it’s part of a very realistic project. Rolls-Royce is collaborating on the project with several British universities. “Space exploration is the ultimate laboratory for many of the key technologies we need on Earth: from materials to robotics, nutrition, cleantech and much more,” said UK Secretary of State George Freeman.
The name Rolls-Royce is known from the cars, but the British multinational also has a large branch focused on aviation and energy. The company is one of the leading manufacturers of aircraft engines. In the United Kingdom, the company also has its own nuclear power plants.
Back to the moon after more than 50 years
In a few years, people will set foot on the moon for the first time in over 50 years. The US space agency NASA said earlier this month that it is on track to launch a manned mission to the moon in November next year. If it succeeds, a manned mission will follow that actually has to land on the moon. Astronauts last walked there in 1972.
NASA thinks that around 2030 astronauts will live and work on the moon.
