Rolls-Royce plans lunar nuclear reactor partnerships

Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc is looking for partnerships in the space industry to develop a micro-nuclear reactor. The company aims to send this reactor to the moon in the early 2030s. Katie Jarman, the Assistant Chief Engineer for Space at Rolls-Royce, mentioned they are in talks with various potential partners. These partnerships will focus on launch, landing services, and lunar transportation. Jarman acknowledged that Rolls-Royce does not have the expertise to operate the reactor on the moon alone. The micro-reactor will provide energy for future lunar bases and support human missions. Rolls-Royce is working to ensure it meets NASA's strict weight requirements, which Jarman noted are quite challenging. The company is focusing on partnerships primarily with American companies, following the Atlantic Declaration signed in 2023 between the US and UK. Jarman believes that leveraging capabilities from both countries will help keep their projects on track. Recently, Rolls-Royce received £2.9 million ($3.8 million) from the UK Space Agency to study the use of nuclear power for lunar bases. The company has two contracts with the agency, one for design concepts and the other for product development. Success in these projects could lead to "more efficient propulsion" for space travel. This improvement could significantly reduce the time astronauts take to reach other planets, like Mars.