R-R powers ahead with UK Space Agency award
£4.8M AWARD WILL HELP TO SIGNIFICANTLY ADVANCE MICRO-REACTOR PROGRAMME
ROLLS-ROYCE has secured funding from the UK Space Agency under the National Space Innovation Programme (NSIP), which adds more support for the development of its space nuclear power technology.
The new £4.8m award from NSIP Major Projects will help to significantly advance Rolls-Royce’s space nuclear Micro-Reactor programme.
The award to Rolls- Royce is one of the biggest among more than 20 projects that have shared the award of £33 million. An additional 15 socalled kick-starter projects will receive £9 million between them. These will support technologies and applications that are in an earlier stage of development.
The Rolls-Royce National Space Innovation Programme will have a total cost of £9.1m and aims to progress the Micro-Reactor’s overall technology readiness level, which will bring the reactor closer to a full system space flight demonstration.
Over the next 18 months, in collaboration with academic partners from the University of Oxford and Bangor University, the project will develop the whole system design, underlying capabilities and key technologies. The programme will help unlock the UK’s participation in the developing space nuclear power markets and clearly demonstrate the UK’s capability and readiness to move towards a detailed design. An initial flight demonstration is anticipated by the end of this decade.
Rolls Royce says to realise global ambitions in space, reliable power and propulsion is needed. Limitations of existing power sources, such as solar, creates operational challenges to which nuclear fission reaction technologies are widely considered the solution, and an essential enabler for lunar surface activity.
Operating independently from the Sun, Rolls-Royce says the MicroReactor can persistently and resiliently meet the significant power requirements to enable long-term exploration and scientific efforts on the Moon and in space.
Jake Thompson, director of novel nuclear and special projects at RollsRoyce, said: “We are delighted to win this award from the National Space Innovation Programme and to be continuing our collaboration with the UK Space Agency. This funding is a pivotal point in our Micro-Reactor programme and will accelerate our technology progression, bringing us a step closer to powering inspiring human endeavours in space.
“The future of space exploration is greatly dependent on the ability to generate high levels of consistent power and our nuclear Micro-Reactor is the solution that will offer safe, reliable and flexible power to a broad range of space missions.”
Other projects to have shared in the £33 million funding include a sub-orbital rocket test by Glasgowbased
HyImpulse at SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland and Cambridge University’s SuperSharp heat-detecting telescope to gather data to help tackle the climate crisis,
Announcing the funding on the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, Science Secretary Peter Kyle said: “From combatting climate change to staying connected with loved ones, space technologies play an important role in many aspects of our day to day lives.
“But backing the growth of UK space companies is also essential for driving economic growth, boosting productivity, and creating wealth in every community. Our £33 million investment in these projects highlights the huge potential of the UK’s space industry, especially as we collaborate with partners.”
UK Space Agency chief executive Dr Paul Bate said: “These new projects will help kick-start growth, create more high-quality jobs.”