Westinghouse Awarded NASA DOE Contract for Space Microreactor Development

Westinghouse Awarded NASA DOE Contract for Space Microreactor Development
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 10, 2025

Westinghouse Electric Company announced that it has been selected by NASA, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), to advance its space microreactor concept through the Fission Surface Power (FSP) project. The contract, awarded by Idaho National Laboratory (INL), continues Westinghouse's Phase 1 work, focusing on optimizing system designs and initiating critical technology testing.

The FSP project aims to develop compact, nuclear-powered systems capable of providing a reliable energy source for astronauts on the Moon and beyond. This initiative supports NASA's goal of deploying a functional lunar reactor within the next decade. Westinghouse's role will include refining design elements and testing technologies to ensure the microreactors are viable for long-term use in space.

"Westinghouse appreciates the opportunity to continue demonstrating its leadership in designing microreactors for space and lunar exploration missions," said Richard Rademacher, President of Westinghouse Government Services. "This award reflects our close collaboration with NASA and the progress we've made on the FSP program that will enable a strategic capability for the Artemis mission. We look forward to testing and demonstrating our proprietary microreactor technology in the coming years under this important NASA initiative."

NASA's FSP initiative builds on the success of the Kilopower project, which explored cost-effective nuclear power solutions for extended planetary missions. The current focus is on creating a system capable of generating up to 40 kilowatts of power, enough to sustain 30 households for a decade. This technology is seen as a cornerstone for establishing sustainable operations on the Moon and Mars.

Westinghouse is utilizing its eVinci microreactor platform to develop a versatile, mass-efficient power and propulsion system suitable for space and planetary applications. The eVinci microreactor, a product of Westinghouse's decades of nuclear innovation, offers reliable and carbon-free energy for various uses, including remote communities, industrial sites, and defense operations. Its design, featuring minimal moving parts, ensures operational reliability and adaptability for the extreme conditions of space.

These advanced microreactors are expected to provide critical energy solutions for NASA's Artemis program and future space missions, enabling sustainable extraterrestrial infrastructure development.