China Developing Nuclear Reactor for Moon is ‘100 Times Powerful Than NASA Reactor

Space News ,China :- In a significant technological stride, China is in the process of developing a nuclear reactor designed to power its missions to the Moon and Mars. The reactor boasts a capacity of generating one megawatt of electricity, claiming to be a staggering 100 times more potent than a comparable device currently in the works at NASA, as reported by the South China Morning Post.

NASA's fission power source, slated for completion by the end of the decade, aims to support sustained human habitation on the Moon. However, two anonymous scientists argue that traditional sources such as chemical fuel and solar power may fall short of meeting the demands of extensive human space exploration and potential settlements on celestial bodies. They propose that nuclear power holds the most promising solution, emphasizing the global competition in this domain.

Despite its potential, challenges are expected for the megawatt space reactor, particularly in terms of cooling. The reactor's compact size, coupled with the need to dissipate excess heat into space, poses potential hurdles in generating electricity efficiently. To address this, Jiang Jieqiong, a professor at the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Nuclear Safety Technology, suggests a foldable structure akin to an umbrella to enhance radiator surface area.

Various approaches are being explored, including the possibility of assembling smaller reactors into a larger machine. Such a system could power large ion thrusters, propelling astronauts toward Mars.

However, the advancement in space technology raises concerns beyond power sources. The proliferation of space debris, exemplified by the recent Russian satellite test that generated hundreds of thousands of debris pieces, poses a threat to global interests. China's Long March 5B rocket's erratic orbit earlier this year exemplifies the challenges in tracking and predicting space objects.

The South China Morning Post notes that the secrecy surrounding space nuclear reactor programs has left a legislative void to address potential accidents, such as failed launches or meltdowns in space. Urgent calls for the establishment of a safety evaluation and management system, suited to China's technological status, underscore the need for increased transparency in research and development progress to alleviate public concerns, according to space scientist Zhang Ze of the Shanghai Institute of Space Propulsion.