The reactor will be able to power the settlement on Mars
Full-scale testing of the nuclear reactor Kilopower should begin in March. But already now it is known that for the full operation of the habitable station on the surface of Mars it is estimated that it is necessary to launch 4-5 such installations.
In the US state of Nevada passed a successful test of the nuclear reactor Kilopower, which, if necessary, will supply energy to the first settlements of people on Mars. This Friday, January 19, said NASA Deputy Director of Space Technology Steve Yurchuk, reports Reuters.
"The compact size of Kilopower and power will allow us to deliver several units on the same ship and provide generation of tens of kilowatts of power," Yurchuk explained.
The reactor operates on the principle of the Stirling engine and has few moving parts. The active zone of the reactor with uranium-235 has the dimensions of a roll of paper towels.
It is planned that full-scale tests of the reactor will begin in mid-March.
In the technical characteristics it is noted that the capacity of one reactor is 1-10 kW, for the full operation of the habitable station on the surface of Mars it is estimated that it is necessary to launch 4-5 such units.
Wow, this is such exciting news for those of us who dream of humans living on Mars!