Nuclear reactor in the Moon!

NASA seems to have big plans for the Moon.
It’s been long since the last manned flight to the moon. However, it is certain that NASA does have future lunar missions planned. As an initial step in this direction, it is working on a Fission Surface Power technology in order to use nuclear fission to power future outposts on the lunar surface.

The system will contain a nuclear reactor buried below the lunar surface and a tower, above the surface — with two radiators to “radiate into space” any left over energy that was not converted from electricity to heat.

According to NASA, each of these systems are capable of generating up to 40 kilowatts of electricity — enough to power eight homes, here on terra firma. Two prototypes are being tested at NASA’s Glenn test centre in Cleveland out of which one would be selected and further tests will follow. The first operational testing is expected to commence by 2012 or 2013.

This technology demonstration is being conducted as part of NASA’s Exploration Technology Development Program.

Source: Techtree.com

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