NASA Seeks Ideas for a Nuclear Reactor on the Moon
phys.org | Nov. 19, 2021 | Keith RidlerSubmitted plans for the fission surface power system should include a uranium-fueled reactor core, a system to convert the nuclear power into usable energy, a thermal management system to keep the reactor cool, and a distribution system providing no less than 40 kilowatts of continuous electric power for 10 years in the lunar environment.
Some other requirements include that it be capable of turning itself off and on without human help, that it be able to operate from the deck of a lunar lander, and that it can be removed from the lander and run on a mobile system and be transported to a different lunar site for operation.
Additionally, when launched from Earth to the moon, it should fit inside a 12-foot (4-meter) diameter cylinder that’s 18 feet (6 meters) long. It should not weigh more than 13,200 pounds (6,000 kilograms).
The proposal requests are for an initial system design and must be submitted by Feb. 19.
Cool! This should be right up our alley!
Straight Line of the Day: Do we have any ideas for a nuclear reactor on the moon?
…we could use the Illudium Pu-36 Explosive Space Modulator as a power source.
We would prefer ones that explode rather than melt down.
“220?”
“220, 221, whatever it takes.”
How about 1.21 Gigawatts all at once, instead of 40KW over 10 years
Sorry, not my department, my specialty is entertainment. I would recommend numerous Rock’em Sock’em Robots, they operate unbelievably better in zero or low gravity and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is greatly reduced.
It sure would make a nice target…
My ideas for converting nuclear energy into useful power involves using a great many squirrels and hamsters…
“Get me the schematics for that lunar lander and I’ll get right on it” – your pal Ivan…
Moon reactor, OK. Just no cobalt-thorium G in the fuel rods….
No room…too many signs.
Moon nuking target! 500 megaton Tannite!
This is IMAO… I don’t think a reactor is what FrankJ had in mind.
“Excuse me…. can you direct me to the nuclear wessels?”
…but have they sold signage rights to the device yet?
…and it needs to broadcast Also Sprach Zarathustra on all frequencies.
Hope you’re referring to the Deodato version.
…the problem is where to to store the nuclear waste. I recommend shipping it to Pluto since it can’t make up it’s mind if it’s a frickin planet or not. We will all be dead by the time it gets there but therein lies the beauty..we don’t have to worry about the Plutonians protesting the plutonium, ( say that fast 1 time), wait, was plutonium named after Pluto?! OMG we need a new sign on the moon now!
I support a nuke on the moon, but the reaction down here on Earth.
yea but the moon is hollow and would disintegrate like a disco ball at Studio 54 like when Alec Baldwin swung at it blindfolded thinking it was a pinata, back in the day.
Green flames painted on the sides!
Land it on the moon, pull out all the control rods and let ‘er go. I’m tired of playing. This game is over.
It should have a built-in popcorn popper, fershur.
Space 1999, 23 years late
If they’re going to use uranium, instead of on the moon, it should be built on…
wait for it….
Here it comes..
Ah, never mind.
Let’s go people, he could use some encouragement to finish! You can do it! Come on Ur@&*$!