UK Space Agency Invests £1.3M in Nuclear Power Projects

Insider Brief:

• The UK Space Agency will invest around £1.3 million to support two nuclear projects as part of its most recent £13 million funding round.
• Rolls-Royce Submarines and BWXT Advanced Technologies will receive £1.2 million for their joint venture.
• The University of Leicester has been granted £800,000 to continue an international nuclear study.

The UK Space Agency has announced a £13 million funding round, with two nuclear projects receiving around £1.3 million in support. The announcement was made at the 39th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, US, as reported by Power Technology.

Rolls-Royce Submarines and BWXT Advanced Technologies will receive £1.2 million for their joint venture. The project aims to identify the best technologies for a fission nuclear system that can power a range of space missions. The goal is to maximize performance while minimizing program and technical risk.

The University of Leicester has been granted £800,000 to continue an international nuclear study. The study will explore various mission opportunities for UK space nuclear power technologies, including the development of hybrid power systems that can work with existing US conversion technologies.

Dr. Paul Bate, the chief executive of the UK Space Agency, stated that the agency wants to draw on global talent to push the boundaries of new technologies like AI and space nuclear power. The funded projects are designed to enhance the UK’s space capabilities and catalyze investment in the UK economy.

Rolls-Royce discussed how its partnership with the US nuclear company BWXT will benefit both UK and US space nuclear development programs for a range of space power missions. The Teaming Agreement between the two companies brings together over 130 years of safe and secure nuclear delivery on both sides of the Atlantic.