Miami-based Company Develops Commercial Nuclear Power for Space
NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy have advanced the BOHR (Brigham Young University-led, Idaho National Laboratory-hosted) mission, a critical step toward developing nuclear-powered spacecraft for deep space exploration. The initiative, part of a broader effort to overcome the limitations of solar and chemical propulsion systems, aims to demonstrate the feasibility of compact fission reactors in space. With a planned test of a 10-kilowatt fission power system at the Nevada National Security Site in 2027, the mission could pave the way for sustained human presence on the Moon, Mars, and beyond by providing reliable energy for long-duration missions.
The BOHR project builds on decades of research into space nuclear systems, leveraging advances in reactor miniaturization and safety protocols. Unlike solar power, which is ineffective in shadowed lunar regions or interplanetary travel, nuclear fission offers consistent energy output independent of environmental conditions. The test will evaluate the reactor’s performance in extreme temperatures and radiation environments, with data informing the design of future systems capable of scaling to hundreds of kilowatts. Collaboration between government agencies, academic institutions, and private industry underscores the mission’s strategic importance in achieving President Biden’s goal of landing astronauts on the Moon by 2025.
By validating nuclear energy as a viable power source for space, the BOHR mission addresses a key barrier to deep space exploration. Success would enable spacecraft to operate in regions beyond Earth’s orbit, where solar energy is insufficient, and support complex scientific instruments, life-support systems, and propulsion technologies. As NASA prepares for Artemis lunar missions and eventual Mars expeditions, the outcomes of this test could redefine the architecture of future interplanetary missions, positioning nuclear power as a cornerstone of humanity’s expansion into the cosmos.