Westinghouse - Factories in Space

Westinghouse

At Westinghouse, our mission is to power meaningful lives by providing sustainable energy and reliable appliances, lighting, and electronics for the home.

Created: 2023-01-14

Updated: 2025-01-07

Company - Westinghouse

Founded
Country: 1886; USA

Funding: Yes, ?

Website: https://westinghouse.com/

Social

Product/Service

Classification: Space Utilities

Category: Resources - Energy
Nuclear Fission Power

Fields: Nuclear Power
Nuclear Fission Power
Moon

Status: Concept

First launch: Not announced

Partners: Aerojet Rocketdyne

NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) are working together to advance space nuclear technologies. The agencies have selected three design concept proposals for a fission surface power system design that could be ready to launch by the end of the decade for a demonstration on the Moon.

This technology would benefit future exploration under the Artemis umbrella. The contracts, to be awarded through the DOE’s Idaho National Laboratory, are each valued at approximately $5 million. The contracts fund the development of initial design concepts for a 40-kilowatt class fission power system planned to last at least 10 years in the lunar environment.

Westinghouse and Astrobotic Team to Power Outer Space with eVinci™ Microreactor Technology

Westinghouse Electric Company and Astrobotic announced in June 2023 the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to explore collaboration on space technology programs for NASA and the Department of Defense.

The collaboration will focus on the development of space nuclear technology and delivery systems. The joint effort will also include strengthening the space nuclear supply chain and workforce in the Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia region.

Last year, Westinghouse was awarded a NASA/DOE contract to provide an initial design concept for a fission lunar surface power system.

Westinghouse is developing a scaled-down version of the 5-MWe eVinci™ microreactor to power spacecraft in orbit or for deployment on the surface of planetary bodies such as the Moon or Mars, providing continuous power for space research and other applications. The inherent simplicity of the eVinci technology supports these critical space missions by providing a reliable, resilient, low-mass power generation system that can be operated autonomously. The technology is ideal for electricity generation for the lunar surface, satellites and electric propulsion.

Air Force Research Lab awards design contracts for nuclear powered spacecraft, 2023-10-03.

Westinghouse Government Services, based in Hopkins, South Carolina, won a $16.9 million contract to “mature relevant technologies, conduct analyses, trade studies, and explore risk reduction strategies to investigate how a high power, nuclear fission-system could be implemented from a subsystem, spacecraft, and architecture standpoint.”

Nuclear power on the moon: NASA wraps up 1st phase of ambitious reactor project, 2024-02-02.

Status Comment / Notes

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