Nuclear propulsion system proposed for European space missions
A consortium led by Belgian engineering firm Tractebel has completed the European Space Agency-commissioned RocketRoll project on nuclear electric propulsion for space exploration. The consortium has defined a comprehensive technology roadmap to equip Europe with advanced propulsion systems capable of undertaking long-duration missions.
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The RocketRoll project - or 'Preliminary European Reckon on Nuclear Electric Propulsion for Space Applications' - brought together leading stakeholders in aerospace and nuclear within a consortium led by Tractebel that includes the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), ArianeGroup, Airbus and Frazer Nash. It also included researchers from the University of Prague, the University of Stuttgart and engineers from OHB Czechspace and OHB System in Bremen.
The partners studied the feasibility of an electric nuclear propulsion (NEP) system where the electricity produced by a nuclear power reactor powers electric ion thrusters - ionising a gas and accelerating the ions produced, which are then ejected to generate thrust. This method's thrust is lower but continuous, and with far greater fuel efficiency it has higher speeds and could cut 60% off the Mars travel time of traditional chemical rockets.
"Thanks to its huge energy density, NEP offers disruptive advantages in terms of speed, autonomy, and flexibility," Tractebel said. "This innovative propulsion technology has the potential to transform space exploration and space mobility by enabling longer-duration missions, potentially shaping the future of interplanetary exploration."
The RocketRoll project, which started more than a year ago and concluded last month, has now submitted a technology roadmap to develop an NEP system, including a candidate design for a demonstrator spacecraft that could flight test NEP systems for deep space missions by 2035.
"I am proud to lead such an important initiative in nuclear electric propulsion, which could enable exploration and in-space logistics in Earth Orbit and beyond on a scale that neither chemical nor electrical propulsion could ever achieve," said Brieuc Spindler, Space Product Owner, Tractebel. "I am committed to navigating the intricate technical and strategic challenges ahead. By leveraging its nuclear expertise and innovative solutions, Tractebel helps advance space technologies and push the boundaries of the final frontier's exploration."
Currently, European space missions depend on external sources for nuclear capabilities. Tractebel says its strategy is to engineer a range of nuclear power solutions, from radioisotope to fission systems, while also contributing to developing a European value chain for nuclear solutions in space applications.
According to the European Space Agency: "NEP would enable exploration and in-space logistics in Earth Orbit and beyond on a scale that neither chemical nor electrical propulsion could ever provide. The ultimate raison d'être of NEP is to explore beyond Mars orbit where solar power is limited.
"In addition, NEP could have strong synergies with other space application. For instance, nuclear power could be used on the Moon or Mars surface to power future habitats or robotic exploration of the solar system, or in space for other purpose than propulsion."
The startup will be launching its “Odin” mission in January
By Rowan Dunne
NOV 1, 2024
“We Mine Asteroids” is the motto of a California space startup that just became the first company to secure a commercial deep space license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The agency provided this experimental certification on Oct. 18.
AstroForge will be sending a newly developed spacecraft 7 million miles away from the Earth in a historic attempt to extract critical metals from a distant asteroid. The company’s “Odin” vessel, being launched in January, is now authorized to establish communication networks capable of functioning over that vast distance with partners on the ground.
A rocket made by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, Falcon 9, will be assisting AstroForge to send Odin into orbit. Odin’s name means knowledge and wisdom seeker in Norse mythology.
Its journey will be part of the Intuitive Machines Inc (NASDAQ: LUNR) IM-2 lunar mission, AstroForge says. Intuitive Machines uses SpaceX’s rocket for their lunar endeavours.
“This was the last gate needed to launch Odin,” AstroForge chief executive, Matthew Gialich, said in an X post Monday. “Can’t wait to strap this thing to the side of the falcon and send it to the cosmos.”
The International Telecommunications Union has designated any distance greater than 2 million kilometres as “Deep Space.” Odin’s ability to tolerate the amount of radiation present at such great distances was a significant factor considered in its development.
Odin’s launch follows the failure of the Brokkr-1 cubesat satellite sent into space last April. It failed to communicate properly, but AstroForge learned lessons from the undertaking that have informed its upcoming launch of Odin.
AstroForge to launch larger craft by 2025-end: ‘Vestri’
Vestri, which is about twice the size of Odin, will be making its way to the same target asteroid by the end of next year. The space rock it will be landing on is anticipated to have rich iron content. It will attach itself to it with magnets.
This launch will be part of Intuitive Machines’ third mission next year.
“Vestri will assess the asteroid’s composition, giving us critical insights into the quality and quantity of valuable elements it holds,” AstroForge says.
AstroForge raised US$40 million in a Series A funding round led by Nova Threshold this August. The space tech company has secured a total of US$55 million.
“There is no question that Earth is running out of resources and current practices are incredibly destructive to our planet,” co-founder Jose Acain said in a recent interview. “AstroForge has found a solution that promises a resource-rich and sustainable future.”
Asteroids have the potential to be beneficial material sources for batteries, solar panels and many other technologies. A study published last year in the journal Planetary and Space Science determined that they can host a diverse array of valuable metals and minerals.
AstroForge just added a seasoned advisor who spent nine years working for SpaceX to its team. Hans Koenigsmann will now be overseeing operations at the company’s new facility in Seal Beach, California.
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