UK-based global major power and propulsion systems group Rolls-Royce and US-based major nuclear manufacturing and engineering group BWX Technologies (BWXT) have been awarded funding from the UK Space Agency to jointly advance technologies for the new and novel applications of nuclear fission technology in Outer Space. The funding, part of Phase 2 of the UK Space Agency’s International Bilateral Fund (IBF), totals £1.18-million.

Rolls-Royce and BWXT have a Teaming Arrangement, which facilitates collaboration between the two groups, including the joint development of the technologies sought by the UK Space Agency. The project will make use of the core nuclear design and manufacturing competencies of the two companies, and is aimed at benefitting the space nuclear power programmes of both the UK Space Agency and the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

“We are delighted to win the award for the second phase of the International Bilateral Fund and to be continuing our collaboration with the UK Space Agency and our international project partner BWXT,” enthused Rolls-Royce Submarines president Steve Carlier. “The Teaming Agreement between Rolls-Royce and BWXT brings together over 130 years of safe and secure nuclear delivery on both sides of the Atlantic. This new agreement builds on our complimentary core competencies and market knowledge from our respective countries. This enables us to build upon our existing relationship and explore potential strategic relationships and business arrangements to further develop nuclear technologies and products for space.”

(Rolls-Royce Submarines is the group’s core centre of nuclear expertise, being responsible for the design and manufacture of the reactors for the UK’s nuclear submarines.)

“BWXT and Rolls-Royce share a commitment to creating and delivering nuclear energy systems to explore space, support global security imperatives and generate clean energy,” highlighted BWXT Advanced Technologies president Joe Miller. “[This] announcement, and our Teaming Agreement more broadly, allows our companies to use our complimentary areas of expertise for this award and new opportunities to come.”

Space missions, regardless of their nature or mission, or whether they are crewed or uncrewed, need power. There are not a wide variety of power sources suitable for use in space. Nuclear power is an option that could greatly increase the duration of future space missions and the variety of scientific instruments that could be powered. Nuclear micro-reactors developed specifically to operate in space would represent a ‘step change’, the companies affirmed, for a wide range of space missions and applications.    

“This exciting research by Rolls-Royce to develop space nuclear power is an opportunity to showcase the UK as a spacefaring nation,” pointed out UK Space Agency ‘Championing Space’ director Professor Anu Ojha. “Innovative technologies such as this one could pave the way for continuous human presence on the Moon, whilst enhancing the wider UK space sector, creating jobs and generating further investment.”

Last year, Rolls-Royce received a total of £2.9-million for space nuclear power research, under the UK Space Agency’s Lunar Surface Nuclear Power initiative and Phase 1 of the IBF project. This resulted in an initial demonstration of a UK lunar modular nuclear reactor.