NASA plans to build a nuclear reactor on the moon

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20-11-2021, 18:29

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Follow - up - INA

NASA and the National Laboratory of Idaho, announced a group of ideas to build a nuclear power plant on the moon, which can become an independent source of energy from the sun permanent station habitable.

According to the "Associated Press", the Americans intend to finish collecting ideas for building such a nuclear power plant on a satellite on February 19, 2022.

"Providing a reliable system High energy on the Moon is a vital next step in human space exploration, and it's within our reach.".

According to NASA, the stable presence of man on the moon will make it possible to determine the next target - Mars. It will enable the reproduction of a nuclear reactor operating in the conditions of another planet, in addition, it will lead to the development of technologies.

"I expect surface fission energy systems to greatly benefit from our plans for energy structures for the Moon and Mars, and even spur innovation for uses here on Earth," Jim Reuter, associate administrator for NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate, said in a statement.

According to the agency, it is expected that the reactor will be built on Earth, and then transferred to the moon, where the system will include the core of a reactor powered by uranium fuel, a system that converts heat into electricity, a heating control system and a distribution system. The power of the nuclear plant shall not be less than 40 kilowatts for ten years.

Some of the requirements include that the station must be operated and stopped without human effort, must operate aboard the landing craft, and be transportable. For the latter condition, it is recommended that the reactor fit the specifications of a cylinder of four meters in height and six meters in diameter.