Rolls-Royce secures funds to develop nuclear reactor for moon base
Scientists and engineers at the British company are working on the microreactor programme to develop technology that will provide power needed for humans to live and work on Earth’s natural satellite.
The UK Space Agency has announced £2.9m of new funding for the project, which will deliver an initial demonstration of a UK lunar modular nuclear reactor.
The science minister George Freeman said: “Space exploration is the ultimate laboratory for so many of the transformational technologies we need on Earth: from materials to robotics, nutrition, cleantech and much more.
“As we prepare to see humans return to the moon for the first time in more than 50 years, we are backing exciting research like this lunar modular reactor with Rolls-Royce to pioneer new power sources for a lunar base.
“Partnerships like this – between British industry, the UK Space Agency and government – are helping to create jobs across our £16bn space tech sector and help ensure the UK continues to be a major force in frontier science.”
