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NASA Just Tested a New Nuclear Fission Reactor for Deep Space Missions and the Results Were Phenomenal

By Andrew Alpin, 6 May 2018

9What is so unique about this project?

The biggest unique factor about NASA’s project is that this is the first time that a new nuclear reactor has been built and tested successfully for deep space exploration. It will come as great news for space agencies planning deep space missions.

Kilopower-nasa-project

Image Source: github.com

10Better than the old method of power generation

Kilopower paves the way for a new method of power generation in contrast to the old method of using RTG or radioisotope thermonuclear generators that require the decaying of plutonium -238. This provides only a limited supply of power of 1kilowatt. Gibson said that 1 KW is the lowest level where RTG stops bit with Kilopower you can even go up to megawatts of power, it is that powerful.

power generation

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11High measure of safety

The biggest benefit of Kilopower is that the power output is scalable unlike RTGs which cannot be turned off once started. It also has the biggest safety measure where nuclear issues are concerned. It does not to be started during or prior to launches and can be enabled once it reaches space. Said Gibson “If there was a 15-year mission to the Kuiper Belt, we don’t have to start the reactor up until we get there.

benefit of Kilopower project

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12A milestone for NASA

The successful completion of the testing phase means that no further demonstrations of the machine will be required. What’s left is approval to test Kilopower in space which will then be another milestone for NASA. This could happen anytime in the next 18 months.

milestone for NASA

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13Can sustain life on other planets

The news is a huge boost for deep space exploration and a mammoth step for space technology. Not only is it efficient, it is also cheaper and provides much more power than solar power or older methods of power. Kilopower could also sustain life and longer stays on other planets in the future. That’s how important it is.

nasa mars mission