Washington: The Donald Trump administration in the U.S. has issued new space policy guidance for the use of nuclear power and space movement.
NASA said the launch of the new Space Policy Directive – 6 (SPD-6) on Wednesday will help trigger their next big leap – creating a stable presence on the Moon and sending astronauts to Mars.
Space nuclear systems power spacecraft for missions where other energy sources are not appropriate, such as environments that are too dark for solar power or too far away to carry sufficient amounts of chemical fuel.
Space nuclear systems include radioisotope power systems and nuclear reactors used for power, heating, or propulsion.
Under the new directive, the U.S. will pursue goals for space nuclear power and the development and deployment of mobility that is both capable and ambitious.
Develop capabilities that enable fuels suitable for a range of surface and interior nuclear power applications; showing a cooling power system on the Moon; and establishing technical foundations and capabilities that enable options for internal nuclear movement.
Other principles established by the directive include the U.S. developing advanced radioisotope power systems to enable surviving surface systems and expanding robotic exploration of the solar system.
According to the directive, the U.S. will adhere to the principles of safety, security and sustainability in the development and deployment of space nuclear power and motion systems.
“NASA strongly supports the White House’s ongoing leadership of the organisation’s Artemis program, which includes the first and next female on the Moon in 2024. At the Moon we will prepare for new science and human missions deeper into the solar system, “NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine said in a statement.
“SPD-6 strengthens the organization’s efforts to develop affordable, safe and reliable nuclear systems, incorporating technology capable of powering activity on another world and promoting human missions in the world. future to Mars. “
Supporting SPD-6, a near-term priority is to mature NASA and then unveil a fission surface power system on the Moon.
NASA, the U.S. Department of Energy, and industry design, manufacture and test a 10-kilowatt class fission surface power system.
NASA plans to unveil the system on the Moon in the late 2020s, providing power for stable lunar surface work and testing its potential on Mars.
The U.S. space agency is also advancing the nuclear and nuclear power transfer capabilities.
Nuclear motion can enable strong human exploration outside the moon.
For crew missions to the Red Planet, a traditional chemical transfer system would require a high-altitude prohibited mass, NASA said.
–IANS
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