NASA plans to use compact nuclear reactors for lunar and Martian bases

Hello dear guests and subscribers of my channel.

As they say, progress does not stand still, and nobody forgot about the study of space and other planets.

The main problem for all future bases was a reliable and compact energy source that would not depend on sunlight in any way. And it looks like scientists have found such an energy source - a compact nuclear reactor.

The future is near

Of course, the idea of ​​building lunar and especially Martian bases still sounds like fantasy. But already in 2024, NASA has planned a new series of manned flights to the moon. And in this regard, scientists are actively working on various options for compact power plants.

And, according to an article in Chemical & Engineering News, nuclear plants are seen as the primary option for generating electricity in space. And here is the reason

Why nuclear reactors

During the creation of a future base for the settlement of astronauts, a huge number of factors must be taken into account. In this case, the energy source must meet special requirements.

So it should be easily transportable and completely safe in open space. Previously, space missions relied on solar panels as a clean and easily scalable source of energy.

But for the development of the dark craters of the Moon and the dusty Martian surface, they are not very suitable.

Nuclear installations have previously been used to power spacecraft such as Voyager and Cassini. And nuclear technology is already well developed under terrestrial conditions.

Therefore, despite all the difficulties and initial failures, it is in miniature nuclear reactors that the greatest potential is seen in providing energy to future settlements. And it is in this direction that many scientists are actively working.

So back in early 2010, a scientific team from Los Alamos Laboratory, NASA and the United States Department joined forces to create a completely new nuclear reactor capable of generating at least 10 kW energy.

The laboratory sample was successfully tested already in 2018, although its output did not exceed 5 kW.

For the remaining time, the engineers plan to complete the prototype to the required parameters.

What will it give ordinary people

Of course, space exploration is good, but what will it do for ordinary people? Well, at least the creation of such a compact reactor can radically change the energy situation in many regions where there is a significant deficit.

And although at first glance it looks fantastic, we should remember about the Internet, we are not living today imagine without him, and a few decades ago he (the Internet) was also from the area fiction.

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