INL helps lead RFP process for nuclear power source in space

Idaho National Laboratory is helping lead a selection process for commercial organizations to plan for, then demonstrate, how a Fission Surface Power System would operate on the moon. Currently, INL, the Department of Energy and NASA are soliciting feedback from leaders in the nuclear and space industries on a draft Request For Proposal.

“This is a way to put up a small compact power source you could use for man’s further exploration of the solar system,” said Stephen Johnson, director of the Space Nuclear Power and Isotope Technologies Division at INL. “It is a technical demonstration. If you could figure a way to get to Mars safely, and back, in a manned mission, you’re going to need a power source.”

Responses to the draft are due Jan. 22. The draft can be viewed through beta.sam.gov. The current target launch to the moon is 2027.

When asked what changes may occur from this response period, Johnson expects feedback to be around the document’s language, such as language that could come across as limiting, being too complicated or leading to unnecessary expenses.

“Industry is pretty smart,” Johnson said. “They may be able to supply something, but if you put the wrong language in there, then all of a sudden they can’t apply their really smart ideas because you wrote language so tight.

“And so you need to make certain your requirements are of the right level,” he continued. “They’re what you want. Don’t tell them how to do it, or exactly why, just focus on the ‘what do you want this thing to do,’ and let them go out there and be creative.”

A final RFP is expected to be released in February. The project — which will fund up to $5 million each for three or four teams during nine to 12 months — is 100% funded by NASA.

More information about the draft RFP is available at nstdirectorate.com/nasa-fsp. Additionally, interested parties may contact Sebastian Corbisiero at [email protected]. Johnson said, as of this writing, INL has not received new feedback during the current period, which began right before Christmas.

“We’re managing the contract, and with our nuclear reactor expertise, trying to get the best commercialization of this effort,” Johnson said about INL’s role. He added that INL was favorably impressed with the engagement of over 20 companies in industry that participated in an information event held in the summer.

“I think it’s exciting we’re moving ahead,” Johnson said. “And that it’s exciting NASA wanted (this) to be commercialized. I hope we get some good responses.”

What happens next?

The project is targeting something that is no less than 10 kilowatt electric, Johnson said, as NASA studies have shown typically something within the 20-40 range is needed for a sustained human presence on another planet or moon.

The project also currently details 10 criteria, six of which are “gotta haves,” Johnson said, and four that are nice to have. They target certain power outputs, mass, volume, the ability to withstand certain gravitational loads — which are more applicable if you’re to Mars — then some certain operating characteristics.

The reactor that is deployed will have an intended lifetime of 10 years or more, Johnson said. It will be left in place for use as long as it is operable. Further plans, such as around how the waste will be handled, are still in development at this stage of the process.

The FSP could also serve as a charging spot for some machines and a fueling station for rockets, which today often deplete fuel just getting into space, Johnson said.

“If you could refuel them after they launched, that would be a real huge step forward in manned missions,” Johnson said.

Having the draft of the RFP out is expected to be helpful for any interested parties that might want to be starting their application, according to Johnson.

“And that’s the process that NASA is very well known for doing,” Johnson said. “They will put out a draft announcement of opportunity for an upcoming mission and people will start going off and thinking and teaming up. And when the actual announcement of opportunity comes out, they pretty much got their teams all set up, and then they get started into the real work of preparing the proposals for the various missions.”

When asked how likely the same groups selected in phase one will continue to phase two, Johnson responded that it is a possibility, and some flexibility needs to be allowed for, which is why the phases are kept separate. One thing that could change between phases, for example, could be subcontractors.

This would be the second reactor to go up to the moon, according to the Office of Nuclear Technology. The first was developed in the 1950s in partnership with the Atomic Energy Commission (now known as DOE).

SNAP-10A, a sodium-potassium cooled fast reactor, was launched into space in April 1965 as part of a research project for the U.S. Department of Defense to power a satellite, according to the website. The reactor produced 500 watts of power and operated for 43 days. It was prematurely shut down by a faulty command receiver.

“Since that time, advances in nuclear fuels and materials research supported by DOE have led to smaller, compact advanced reactor systems that are currently being designed today,” the website states. “DOE and NASA are looking to leverage this innovation and expertise to apply these concepts for space flight.”

“After a 55-year-wait,” Johnson said, “I think it’s about time.”