NASA and the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) have successfully demonstrated a miniature nuclear reactor power system that
Dubbed Kilopower, the small, lightweight fission system is able to provide up to 10 kilowatts of electrical power continuously for a minimum of 10 years.
The project provides 10 kilowatts of electrical power continuously for minimum of 10 years.
NASA and the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) have successfully demonstrated a miniature nuclear reactor power system that
Dubbed Kilopower, the small, lightweight fission system is able to provide up to 10 kilowatts of electrical power continuously for a minimum of 10 years.
Pair a few units together and you’ve suddenly got enough power to establish an outpost, NASA says.
The prototype uses a solid, cast uranium-235 reactor core which is roughly the size of a paper towel roll.
Reactor heat is transferred via passive sodium heat pipes to high-efficiency Stirling engines which convert the heat to electricity.