Rolls-Royce introduces a micro-reactor with potential to speed up space travel
Rolls-Royce recently tweeted a photo of its Micro-Reactor that can utilize nuclear energy to fuel spaceships and moon-based establishments.
Rolls-Royce Holdings, a British aerospace engineering company, has announced its entry into the spaceflight industry. The company plans to develop a micro-nuclear reactor as a potential fuel source for missions to the Moon and Mars, which would require long journeys.
With the upcoming return of human space missions to the Moon and Mars in the next 20 years, the technology that propels us throughout the solar system will be a critical component of these missions. Rolls-Royce recently showcased a digital prototype of its micro-reactor for spaceflight on Twitter.
A Rolls-Royce Micro-Reactor is designed to use an inherently safe and extremely robust fuel form. Each uranium particle is encapsulated in multiple protective layers that act as a containment system, allowing it to withstand extreme conditions.https://t.co/OOc9kBGXDx pic.twitter.com/wkXmZgzhrs
— Rolls-Royce (@RollsRoyce) January 27, 2023
The Rolls-Royce Micro-Reactor is designed to safely contain uranium particles and withstand the harsh conditions of space travel. The British aerospace engineering company has been researching nuclear power for space exploration in collaboration with the UK's space agency since 2021. This effort is similar to NASA's ongoing partnership with DARPA to develop nuclear power for space travel.
The use of nuclear fission as a propulsion method in space exploration could result in more fuel-efficient journeys and shorter, safer travel times, compared to the chemical rockets currently in use.
