On January 9, 2025, Westinghouse Electric Company announced a new contract with NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy to continue the development of a nuclear microreactor for lunar missions, moving into the testing phase.
The initiative, known as the Fission Surface Power (FSP) program, aims to create power generation systems based on nuclear fission, providing astronauts with a reliable and continuous energy source for use on the Moon and in deep space.
This contract, awarded by the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), builds on the success of the initial design phase led by Westinghouse. The current focus is on optimizing the FSP systems and configurations while commencing testing of critical technological components.
Progress in the FSP program could significantly contribute to NASA's goal of demonstrating this technology on the Moon within the next decade. Richard Rademacher, president of Westinghouse Government Services, expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to advance the project, highlighting the company's leadership in designing microreactors for space exploration missions.
Rademacher noted, “This contract reflects our close collaboration with NASA and the advancements made in the FSP program, which will provide strategic technology for the Artemis mission. We look forward to testing and demonstrating our microreactor technology in the coming years as part of this important NASA initiative.”
The FSP program builds on NASA's previous Kilopower project, which developed accessible nuclear energy technologies for extended space missions and planetary surface use. Currently, NASA is collaborating with the Department of Energy to design a nuclear power system capable of delivering up to 40 kilowatts, sufficient to power 30 households for ten years.
A future demonstration facility on the Moon will pave the way for establishing base camps for exploratory missions to both the Moon and Mars.
Westinghouse is utilizing its eVinci™ technology for the nuclear microreactor to develop a versatile nuclear power generation system suitable for driving satellites, spacecraft, and planetary surface installations. The eVinci microreactor currently provides reliable electricity and heating for remote communities, universities, mining operations, industrial centers, data centers, and defense facilities. Its minimal moving parts enhance its applicability for various missions, reducing failure risks and ensuring ease of operation in the harsh environment of space.