UK, US nuclear groups jointly win UK funding to further develop space micro-reactors

UK-based global major power and propulsion systems group Rolls-Royce and US-based major nuclear manufacturing and engineering group BWX Technologies (BWXT) have been awarded funding from the UK Space Agency to jointly advance technologies for the new and novel applications of nuclear fission technology in Outer Space. The funding, part of Phase 2 of the UK Space Agency’s International Bilateral Fund (IBF), totals £1.18-million. Rolls-Royce and BWXT have a Teaming Arrangement, which facilitates collaboration between the two groups, including the joint development of the technologies sought by the UK Space Agency. The project will make use of the core nuclear design and manufacturing competencies of the two companies, and is aimed at benefitting the space nuclear power programmes of both the UK Space Agency and the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration.