The UK Space Agency awarded the contract to build a nuclear reactor to be used on the surface of the moon. A £2.9 million contract was awarded to build a prototype reactor of modular design. If it is successfully demonstrated to operate as desired, it will be used on the surface of the moon as early as 2029.
Nuclear power is an option because the nights on the moon last up to 14 days, solar panel power systems are also impractical to supply continuous electricity. The heat produced can also be used to heat the base built on the surface of the moon when the temperature drops sharply at night.
Rolls Royce won the bid for showing their design and concept as requested by the government. They also already have experience building small nuclear reactors used in UK Royal Navy submarines for decades.
In addition to being used on the surface of the moon, the mini-reactor produced can also be a power source for space travel beyond the moon. The DRACO nuclear engine developed by NASA and DARPA, for example, is specifically for travel to Mars.
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