The United States is eyeing the possibility of building nuclear power plants that will be suitable on the moon and Mars. It released a request for ideas from the private sector on how to do that.

This was done through the U.S. Department of Energy. The Energy Department sent out a formal request to build what is a fission surface power system that would allow humans to live for long periods in harsh space environments, according to a Time report. 

The target date for completion of the fission reactor, safe launch, and landing system is in 2026.

A nuclear research facility in eastern Idaho, the Idaho National Laboratory is cooperating with the Energy Department and NASA to brainstorm ideas for developing the nuclear energy power plant.

The lab has been leading the way on advanced reactors in the U.S.

"Small nuclear reactors can provide the power capability necessary for space exploration missions of interest to the Federal government," the Energy Department was quoted in a Time report.

Challenges of Nuclear Energy Plant on The Moon

A Popular Mechanics report said designing this special reactor is kind of like adapting terrestrial technology. The fundamentals might be the same, but there can be limitations as it is in a different environment.

In addition, a power plant on the moon must be close to being self-sufficient and operate without the influence of gravity or Earth's atmosphere.

This should also be light and small enough that everything can be brought into space.

Experts have cited concerns regarding the parameters, design, and timeline of the project.

Director of Nuclear Power Safety at the Union of Concerned Scientists, Edwin Lyman, said that he is concerned that the creation will most likely use highly enriched uranium.

Highly enriched uranium can be made into weapons. Nations have generally been trying to decrease the amount of enriched uranium being produced for that reason.

"This may drive or start an international space race to build and deploy new types of reactors requiring highly enriched uranium," Lyman was quoted in a Time report.

The Plan

The Energy department, NASA, and Idaho National Laboratory through its U.S. contractor Battelle Energy Alliance are planning to hold a government-industry webcast technical meeting in August over the program.

The plan is composed of two phases, with the first one developing a reactor design. The second phase will focus on building a test reactor. It also includes developing a flight system and lander that can move the reactor to the moon. The reactor should be able to generate continuous electricity of at least 10 kilowatts.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration said an average U.S. residential home uses about 11,000 kilowatt-hour per year. To meet that kind of power requirement, the Energy Department said it would have to be multiple linked reactors.

However, the reactor should be not more than 7, 700 pounds to be able to operate in space, mostly self-sufficient for at least 10 years.

The Energy Department said the reactor will be used for support exploration in the south polar region of the moon. However, a specific area of exploration has not yet been identified.

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