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Source-This post on Lunar nuclear reactor project has been created based on the article “NASA finishes 1st phase of ambitious lunar nuclear reactor project” published in “The Indian Express” on 6 February 2024.
Why in the news?
NASA has recently announced that it has completed the first phase of its plans to put a nuclear fission reactor on the Moon.
About Lunar nuclear reactor project
Objective– To create a small electricity-generating reactor for future lunar missions and outposts.
Specifications– The project involves designing a reactor, power conversion systems, heat rejection mechanisms, and power distribution systems.
Significance of the project
1) A nuclear reactor could be placed in permanently shadowed areas (where there may be water ice) of the moon. This would ensure continuous power production during lunar nights.
2) It produces power without any dependence on weather and other conditions.
3) It could play an important role in bolstering NASA’s ambitions to have a sustained human presence on the Moon for at least 10 years.
NOTE- Nuclear fission– It is the process of breaking large atomic nuclei into smaller atomic nuclei to release a large amount of energy.
UPSC Syllabus-Science & technology.
