NASA Advances Development of First Fission-Powered Spacecraft SR-1 Freedom

• NASA's Space Reactor-1 (SR-1) Freedom will be the first spacecraft to demonstrate fission power beyond Earth’s orbit.
• The mission is scheduled for a late 2028 launch and aims to pioneer deep-space nuclear electric propulsion.
• Recent contract adjustments with partners are designed to reduce technical risk and maintain development momentum.

Technical Components and Partnerships

• Nuclear Power Module: Located at the end of a boom, it houses a fission reactor and a power conversion system that turns thermal energy into electricity.
• Sierra Lobo Inc.: Contracted to provide the closed Brayton cycle power conversion system under the Space Flight Systems Development and Operations Contract III at NASA's Glenn Research Center.
• Idaho National Laboratory (DOE): Responsible for the design and development of the fission reactor.

Safety Protocols and Mission Goals

• Safety Standards: Development follows rigorous interagency reviews, oversight by a NASA chief safety officer, and strict design processes focusing on hazard and failure tolerance.
• Operational Safety: The nuclear reactor will remain completely inactive until the spacecraft exits Earth’s orbit.
• SkyFall Science Mission: The spacecraft will carry three Mars helicopters evolved from the Ingenuity design to identify potential water sources and scout exploration zones.
• Strategic Value: The technology will support long-term space exploration, including sustaining power for future Moon bases during periods without sufficient sunlight.