NASA Supports America’s National Strategy for Space Nuclear Power and Propulsion

President Donald Trump has actually provided a brand-new Space Policy Directive that will assist move NASA and mankind’s next huge leap – developing a sustainable existence on the Moon and sending out astronauts to Mars.

The president provided Space Policy Directive-6 (SPD-6), the Nation’s Strategy for Space Nuclear Power and Propulsion (SNPP), Wednesday, December 16, 2020. Space nuclear systems power spacecraft for objectives where alternative source of power are insufficient, such as environments that are too dark for solar energy or too far to bring adequate amounts of chemical fuels. Space nuclear systems consist of radioisotope power systems and atomic power plants utilized for power, heating, or propulsion. SPD-6 develops top-level objectives, concepts, and a supporting roadmap that show the U.S. dedication to utilizing SNPP systems securely, efficiently, and properly.

“NASA strongly supports the White House’s continued leadership on the agency’s Artemis program, which includes landing the first woman and next man on the Moon in 2024. At the Moon we will prepare for new science and human missions deeper into the solar system,” stated NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine. “SPD-6 bolsters the agency’s efforts to develop affordable, safe, and reliable nuclear systems, including technology capable of continuously powering operations on other worlds and propelling future human missions to Mars.”

In assistance of SPD-6, NASA’s near-term concern is to develop and after that show a fission surface area power system on the Moon. NASA, the Department of Energy, and market will develop, make, and evaluate a 10-kilowatt class fission surface area power system. NASA prepares to show the system on the Moon in the late 2020s, offering power for sustainable lunar surface area operations and checking its capacity for usage on Mars.

The area firm is likewise advancing nuclear thermal and nuclear electrical propulsion abilities. Nuclear propulsion can make it possible for robust human expedition beyond the Moon. For crewed objectives to the Red Planet, a conventional chemical propulsion system would need an excessively high propellant mass. In addition to decreasing danger and growing reactor styles, NASA becomes part of an effort with the Department of Energy and Department of Defense to establish innovations and nuclear fuel production abilities for propulsion systems.

SPD-6 develops the following concepts:

• The United States will pursue objectives for SNPP advancement and usage that are both allowing and enthusiastic:
  • Develop abilities that make it possible for production of fuel ideal to a series of planetary surface area and in-space SNPP applications;
  • Demonstrate a fission power system on the Moon;
  • Establish technical structures and abilities that will make it possible for choices for in-space nuclear propulsion; and
• Develop advanced radioisotope power systems to make it possible for survivable surface area systems and extend robotic expedition of the planetary system.
• The United States will comply with concepts of security, security, and sustainability in its advancement and usage of SNPP systems.
• The United States will pursue a collaborated roadmap for Federally supported SNPP activities and a structure to motivate business activities to attain objectives and promote the concepts developed in the instruction. 

For a reality sheet on Space Policy Directive-6, see:

https://go.nasa.gov/3ajEhPd