Nuclear Reactor for the Moon and Mars

NASA has completed testing of the key components of a miniature nuclear reactor, which in the future will have to provide our space bases on the Moon and Mars with energy, and can also serve as a source of energy for new-type ion engines .

The NASA reactor is made according to the original technology: it combines a small atom atomization unit and two Stirling engines , the principle of operation of which is shown in the illustration to the right is a heat engine with hot and cold chambers and gas continuously moving between them, alternately heating / expanding, then cooling / contracting. The process goes on, if you keep the temperature of the chambers.

At the research center of NASA, the Glenn Research Center tested Stirling engines and radiators separately, and a simulator has been put in place of the reactor so far. All parts in the assembly will be tested in 2014. And the reactor should be prepared for launch by 2020. As you know, exactly by this date NASA promises to return the man to the moon.
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During the experiment, the installation consistently produced 2.3 kW of energy, and proved to be even better than scientists had expected. Potentially, it can work at a power of 40 kW, this will be quite enough for the life support of the lunar and Martian bases.

In creating a nuclear installation, engineers applied one innovation. To transfer heat from the reactor to the Stirling machine, they used a liquid metallic layer of potassium-sodium alloy. This material is first used with the Stirling machine. According to first estimates, the resulting structure will be able to work without any external intervention for at least eight years.

In addition, radiator panels were tested that should dissipate heat from the reactor’s cooling water system. Radiators performed well in airless space with daily temperature drops from -100 ° C to + 100 ° C, as on the Moon.

The program for creating miniature nuclear reactors Fission Surface Power at NASA was launched in 2006.