Rolls-Royce Secures UKSA Funding To Propel Space Nuclear Technology

Rolls-Royce has received £4.8m funding from the UK Space Agency under the National Space Innovation Programme (NSIP) to develop and demonstrate critical technologies for a space nuclear micro-reactor. The total project cost, including all previous investments, will be £9.1m, with an initial flight demonstration expected by the end of 2030.

“This funding is a turning point in our Micro-Reactor programme and will accelerate the development of our technology, bringing us one step closer to powering inspiring human endeavours in space,” said Jake Thompson, Director of New Nuclear and Special Projects at Rolls-Royce.

Previous Funding For Rolls-Royce

This latest investment follows April’s announcement that Rolls-Royce has been awarded £1.18m from the UK Space Agency to develop nuclear fission systems to support long-duration space missions with reliable energy sources under Phase 2 of the International Bilateral Fund (IBF).

Before this, the company received £2.9m funding from the Lunar Surface Nuclear Power Contract and Phase 1 of the IBF project in 2023, which developed the initial concept for a UK lunar modular nuclear reactor.

Rolls-Royce IBF Project

The Rolls-Royce IBF (International Bilateral Fund) project involves developing a space-based nuclear reactor in cooperation with US company BWXT Technologies. This initiative is part of a broader effort to improve atomic technology for spaceflight funded by the UK Space Agency.

This collaboration aligns with the UK and US goals for innovation in space technology under the Atlantic Declaration, emphasising nuclear power’s importance for future space exploration.

Space Nuclear Technology

All space missions require a reliable energy source to support critical systems such as communications, life support and scientific experiments. Nuclear power has the potential to significantly increase the duration and value of scientific results from future lunar missions and deep space exploration.

Rolls-Royce’s Micro-Reactor programme aims to develop autonomous and reliable nuclear power technology to enable long-term research and science in space. The microreactor will be able to support a variety of space operations, including satellite propulsion, life support for astronauts on the Moon, and more.

Relatively small and lightweight compared to other energy systems, the nuclear microreactor can provide continuous power regardless of location, sunlight and other environmental conditions.

The project aims to achieve a level of readiness for the micro-reactor technology that will allow a flight demonstration of the complete system in space within a specified time frame.

Scientific Partnership

To achieve this, Rolls-Royce will work with Oxford University and Bangor University to improve the system design and critical technologies over the next 1.5 years.

As part of a programme funded by the UK Space Agency, Rolls-Royce scientists and engineers are working with strategic partners on several work packages. The focus has been on three key features of the microreactor:

• the fuel used to generate the heat
• the method of heat transfer
• the technology to convert the heat into electricity.

According to Dr Paul Bate, Director General of the UK Space Agency, “New projects such as this one, led by Rolls-Royce, are at the heart of what we want to achieve as a national space agency that supports cutting-edge innovation, enhances capabilities across the UK and brings the benefits of space back to citizens on Earth.”

Applications Of Rolls-Royce’s Space Nuclear Technology

The potential applications for Rolls-Royce’s micro-reactor technology are wide-ranging: beyond space exploration, there are commercial and defence applications. The aim is to develop a world-leading power and propulsion capable of providing a clean, sustainable, long-term energy source for various markets and operator needs.

Background

The United Kingdom Space Agency under the National Space Innovation Program (NSIP) supports proposals for emerging and innovative technology research and development under its National Space Innovation Programme (NSIP). NSIP funding is available via two routes: NSIP Kick Starter, which will provide grants of £150k-£1m for low TRL (1-4) projects with an emphasis on innovation and disruption, and NSIP Major Projects, offering grants of £1m-£5m for higher TRL projects (5-9) with a focus on catalysing investment and commercialisation.