The Moon (Earth's Moon)

[Mythopoeika]

Government signs £2.9m Moon base nuclear power deal with Rolls-Royce​

Image source, Rolls-Royce
Image caption,
Rolls-Royce wants to send a nuclear reactor to the Moon by 2029
By Dan Martin
BBC News

Rolls-Royce scientists and engineers are to research how nuclear power could be used to support a future Moon base.
The UK Space Agency has given the Derby-based firm £2.9m to look at ways of powering future lunar settlements.
The company has been asked to demonstrate how nuclear micro reactors could extend the duration of future missions to the Moon.
The government said the deal would boost the UK's space industry and create skilled jobs.
The UK Space Agency said it wanted to establish a new power source to support systems for communications, life-support and scientific experiments on the Moon.
The agency's chief executive Dr Paul Bate said: "We are backing technology and capabilities to support ambitious space exploration missions and boost sector growth across the UK.
"Developing space nuclear power offers a unique chance to support innovative technologies and grow our nuclear, science and space engineering skills base.
"This innovative research by Rolls-Royce could lay the groundwork for powering continuous human presence on the Moon, while enhancing the wider UK space sector, creating jobs and generating further investment."

Image source, Rolls-Royce
Image caption,
A visualisation of one of the firm's proposed mini-reactors
Rolls-Royce said it wanted to have a reactor ready to send to the Moon by 2029.
The company will work with the University of Oxford, University of Bangor, University of Brighton, University of Sheffield's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) and Nuclear AMRC on the project.
The Minister of State at the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology, George Freeman, said: "Space exploration is the ultimate laboratory for so many of the transformational technologies we need on Earth, from materials to robotics, nutrition, cleantech and much more.
"As we prepare to see humans return to the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years, we are backing exciting research like this lunar modular reactor with Rolls-Royce to pioneer new power sources for a lunar base."
Director of future programmes for Rolls-Royce Abi Clayton said: "The new tranche of funding from the UK Space Agency means so much for the Rolls-Royce Micro-Reactor Programme.
"It will bring us further down the road in making the micro-reactor a reality, with the technology bringing immense benefits for both space and Earth."

Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-64982477

It looks rather like a nuclear bomb, deployable from orbit.

 

[Coal]

Government signs £2.9m Moon base nuclear power deal with Rolls-Royce​

Image source, Rolls-Royce
Image caption,
Rolls-Royce wants to send a nuclear reactor to the Moon by 2029
By Dan Martin
BBC News

Rolls-Royce scientists and engineers are to research how nuclear power could be used to support a future Moon base.
The UK Space Agency has given the Derby-based firm £2.9m to look at ways of powering future lunar settlements.
The company has been asked to demonstrate how nuclear micro reactors could extend the duration of future missions to the Moon.
The government said the deal would boost the UK's space industry and create skilled jobs.
The UK Space Agency said it wanted to establish a new power source to support systems for communications, life-support and scientific experiments on the Moon.
The agency's chief executive Dr Paul Bate said: "We are backing technology and capabilities to support ambitious space exploration missions and boost sector growth across the UK.
"Developing space nuclear power offers a unique chance to support innovative technologies and grow our nuclear, science and space engineering skills base.
"This innovative research by Rolls-Royce could lay the groundwork for powering continuous human presence on the Moon, while enhancing the wider UK space sector, creating jobs and generating further investment."

Image source, Rolls-Royce
Image caption,
A visualisation of one of the firm's proposed mini-reactors
Rolls-Royce said it wanted to have a reactor ready to send to the Moon by 2029.
The company will work with the University of Oxford, University of Bangor, University of Brighton, University of Sheffield's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) and Nuclear AMRC on the project.
The Minister of State at the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology, George Freeman, said: "Space exploration is the ultimate laboratory for so many of the transformational technologies we need on Earth, from materials to robotics, nutrition, cleantech and much more.
"As we prepare to see humans return to the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years, we are backing exciting research like this lunar modular reactor with Rolls-Royce to pioneer new power sources for a lunar base."
Director of future programmes for Rolls-Royce Abi Clayton said: "The new tranche of funding from the UK Space Agency means so much for the Rolls-Royce Micro-Reactor Programme.
"It will bring us further down the road in making the micro-reactor a reality, with the technology bringing immense benefits for both space and Earth."

Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-64982477

Sounds mad but I wonder if the point of this is facilitate research on modular small scale nuclear without all the hair pulling and squealing from the 'nuclear=evil' folk, because "it's for space".

 

[Mythopoeika]

Sounds mad but I wonder if the point of this is facilitate research on modular small scale nuclear without all the hair pulling and squealing from the 'nuclear=evil' folk, because "it's for space".

Reckon there is some element of that.
However... most of the dangerous experimentation has already been done by those brave volunteers in Chernobyl.

 

[Kondoru]

Thats not a lot of money these days

 

[Mythopoeika]

Thats not a lot of money these days

Yes, it would pay for very little. So, probably for design work and feasibility studies. And a few junkets.

 

[Trevp666]

Yes, it would pay for very little. So, probably for design work and feasibility studies. And a few junkets.

FTFY

 

[hunck]

Sounds mad but I wonder if the point of this is facilitate research on modular small scale nuclear without all the hair pulling and squealing from the 'nuclear=evil' folk, because "it's for space".

But according to your very own post a week ago on another thread:

I note though, that small modular nuclear reactors are quietly rolling out, there one going in at Trawsfynydd for example.

 

[hunck]

Thats not a lot of money these days

Exactly. According to the report the brief is to

look at ways of powering future lunar settlements.
The company has been asked to demonstrate how nuclear micro reactors could extend the duration of future missions to the Moon.

They’re not actually sending one just yet. And not for that money.

 

[Coal]

But according to your very own post a week ago on another thread:

True, but as I understood the article they're looking at making them even smaller and self contained.

 

[Trevp666]

they're looking at making them even smaller and self contained.

And camouflaging them.
I've got one here.

 

[Coal]

And camouflaging them.
I've got one here.
View attachment 64434

Now, if they could make a reactor that ran on corned beef, I would be impressed.

 

[Floyd1]

Government signs £2.9m Moon base nuclear power deal with Rolls-Royce​

Sorry @Trevp666 - I (obviously) didn't realise you'd posted this a while back on another thread.

 

[Trevp666]

Sorry

No worries. I'm not bothered. It's not like I'm going to go back through all your posts looking for examples where it has happened before, like some would.
Anyhoo, I've reported you. Expect to receive a fixed penalty notice through the post. And a photograph.

 

[Coal]

And a photograph.

Of what?

 

[Floyd1]

No worries. I'm not bothered. It's not like I'm going to go back through all your posts looking for examples where it has happened before, like some would.
Anyhoo, I've reported you. Expect to receive a fixed penalty notice through the post. And a photograph.

There's almost as many 'moon' threads as 'dream' based ones.

 

[Trevp666]

Of what?

His transgression.