Panelists point to cost, production as key challenges for space nuclear power and propulsion

[Marlin]

Panelists point to cost, production as key challenges for space nuclear power and propulsion

https://aerospaceamerica.aiaa.org/panelists-point-to-cost-production-as-key-challenges-for-space-nuclear-power-and-propulsion/

[Core Content]

Industry experts at the U.S. Space Nuclear Industry Symposium identified cost, production capacity, and regulatory hurdles as primary obstacles for space nuclear power. Panelists noted that current plutonium-238 supplies are insufficient for commercial lunar missions, prompting interest in alternative isotopes like americium-241 to support long-term lunar base operations by 2030.

These challenges highlight the need for expanded isotope production and new legal frameworks for launch indemnification. As NASA and the White House push for near-term tests of fission reactors and nuclear-electric spacecraft, the industry must resolve these supply chain and policy gaps to ensure the viability of commercial nuclear-powered space exploration.

As NASA maps out missions to test nuclear power and propulsion, a panelist at the U.S. Space Nuclear Industry Symposium on Thursday said cost will be a key hurdle. "The lunar surface at the south pole...

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https://aerospaceamerica.aiaa.org/panelists-point-to-cost-production-as-key-challenges-for-space-nuclear-power-and-propulsion/