![]() Meanwhile, the company is currently working on having several small modular nuclear reactors built on land to help the UK sustainably meet its rising electricity demand.Īmanda Solloway, the UK Science Minister, said:Īs we build back better from the pandemic, it is partnerships like this between business, industry, and government that will help to create jobs and bring forward pioneering innovations that will advance UK spaceflight. Rolls-Royce’s nuclear propulsion technology has been used for six decades already to power the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet. This study will help us understand the exciting potential of atomic-powered spacecraft, and whether this nascent technology could help us travel further and faster through space than ever before. Space nuclear power and propulsion is a game-changing concept that could unlock future deep-space missions that take us to Mars and beyond. Graham Turnock, the UK Space Agency’s chief executive, said: And they wouldn’t have to take as many consumables.ĭr. ![]() On top of saving time, the shorter period in space would be better for the astronauts’ health since they’d be exposed to less harmful cosmic radiation. Meaning, a spacecraft would reach Mars in only three to four months instead of six to eight. Such an engine could be twice as effective as the chemical engines powering rockets today. The partnership hopes that they’ll succeed in building atomic propulsion engines and completely revolutionize space travel. Nuclear propulsion involves channeling the tremendous energy released when atoms split to accelerate propellants rapidly. We look forward to developing this and other exciting space projects in the future as we continue to develop the power to protect our planet, secure our world, and explore our Universe. We believe there is a real niche UK capability in this area, and this initiative can build on the strong UK nuclear network and supply chain. ![]() We are excited to be working with the UK Space Agency on this pioneering project to define future nuclear power technologies for space. Planetary scientists and nuclear engineers will put their minds together to explore the possibility of using nuclear power – a more plentiful energy source – for farther faster space travel.ĭave Gordon, the Senior Vice President of Rolls-Royce’s defense division, said: Rolls-Royce will be collaborating with the UK Space Agency to make nuclear-powered space exploration a reality.
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