Introduction:
Space exploration, an enduring frontier for mankind’s ingenuity, is witnessing a paradigm shift as Lockheed Martin embarks on a transformative mission to revolutionize spacecraft propulsion. The recent acquisition of a $33.7 million contract from the Lockheed Martin Ventures Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) for the Joint Emergent Technology Supplying On-Orbit Nuclear (JETSON) High Power program heralds a new era in aerospace technology.
This initiative is set to elevate the realms of high-power nuclear electric propulsion and spacecraft design to unprecedented heights.
Amidst the ceaseless quest to extend the frontiers of our reach into the outer solar system, the need for innovative means to power and propel spacecraft has become acutely apparent. Traditionally, the reliance on chemical rockets and solar panels has persisted for over six decades. However, these technologies are now on the brink of their theoretical limitations, rendering them incapable of traversing the vast distances to celestial bodies such as Jupiter.
Lockheed Martin’s JETSON project is a collaborative effort alongside Space Nuclear Power Corp and BWX Technologies, poised to tackle the escalating demand for advanced spacecraft capabilities. Beyond the confines of traditional propulsion, the project aims to enhance spacecraft mobility, situational awareness, and power generation, paving the way for a new era in space exploration.
At the heart of the JETSON project lies a groundbreaking concept: a fission reactor generating heat, subsequently channeled to Stirling engines, capable of producing an electrical output ranging between 6 to 20 kWe. This innovation draws inspiration from the 2018 Kilopower Reactor Using Stirling Technology (KRUSTY) demonstration led by NASA and the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration.
The KRUSTY demonstration laid the foundation for this revolutionary approach, showcasing the potential of nuclear fission for space applications.
Lockheed Martin Ventures into Crafting Spacecraft:
Lockheed Martin Ventures into Crafting Spacecraft (Image Source: spaceref.com)
Barry Miles, the JETSON program manager and principal investigator at Lockheed Martin, emphasized the significance of nuclear fission’s role in reshaping space exploration. “Nuclear fission development for space applications is key to introducing technologies that could dramatically change how we move and explore in the vastness of space,” Miles stated.
He underlined Lockheed Martin’s focus on collaborative efforts with government agencies and industry partners to develop cutting-edge systems encompassing high-power electrical subsystems, electric propulsion, nuclear thermal propulsion, and fission surface power.
The JETSON project, with its ambitious objectives and groundbreaking technological innovations, stands as a testament to humanity’s unyielding quest for advancement in space exploration. Lockheed Martin’s pioneering strides into nuclear-powered spacecraft signify a pivotal moment in the annals of aerospace history, promising a future where the stars are no longer beyond our grasp.
