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Lockheed plans nuclear fission demonstrator for future moon base

Lockheed plans nuclear fission demonstrator for future moon base
Source: interestingengineering
Author: @IntEngineering
Published: 2/26/2026

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Lockheed Martin is developing a Fission Surface Power (FSP) system to provide reliable, continuous nuclear energy for sustained human presence and industrial activity on the Moon. The company advocates a flexible, scalable architecture starting with smaller 5–10 kW reactors for initial operations, progressing to 25–50 kW and eventually 100 kW systems to support larger commercial and industrial infrastructure. This approach addresses the challenges of the lunar environment, such as long nights and permanently shadowed regions where solar power is insufficient. Lockheed Martin is collaborating with NASA and the Department of Energy, aiming for a 2030 launch target under a recent White House Executive Order that prioritizes space nuclear power to maintain U.S. leadership. The modular design of the FSP system is intended to reduce costs and strengthen supply chains for future Mars missions by establishing a common power architecture scalable from orbital platforms to lunar bases. The technology focuses on advanced Brayton engine cycles for improved efficiency and autonomous operation, requiring further development in high

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energynuclear-fissionlunar-basespace-powerLockheed-Martinrenewable-energyspace-exploration