The UK Space Agency (UKSA) has signed a contract with global major industrial technology group Rolls-Royce to study future nuclear power options for space missions. This is the first such contract awarded by the UK and is also the first ever contract between the UKSA and Rolls-Royce. The intent was the define and configure nuclear power solutions for space exploration over the coming decades. Rolls-Royce had considerable expertise in power (including nuclear power), propulsion and thermal management technologies and regarded space as a growing and challenging sector where such expertise would be invaluable.