NASA SR-1 Freedom nuclear power module contract advances Mars mission

NASA's Space Reactor-1 (SR-1) Freedom will be humanity's first fission-powered spacecraft to travel outside Earth's orbit. The nuclear power module is a key element of the mission.

NASA and its partners have agreed to contract actions that will advance the SR-1 Freedom mission. The contract actions reduce technical risk and help maintain momentum toward the 2028 launch.

Sierra Lobo Inc. will provide the nuclear power module's closed Brayton cycle power conversion system. The system converts thermal energy from its fission reactor into electrical power needed for SR-1 Freedom's nuclear electric propulsion demonstration.

The work will be conducted under the Space Flight Systems Development and Operations Contract III, awarded in 2024. It will support spaceflight hardware design, development, testing, and operations at NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland.

The fission reactor is being designed and developed by the Department of Energy's Idaho National Laboratory. NASA and DOE incorporate thorough safety standards throughout the design and development of the SR-1 Freedom spacecraft.

The nuclear power module will be integrated with the fission reactor to complete the nuclear power module. The nuclear reactor portion of SR-1 Freedom will remain inactive until the spacecraft leaves Earth orbit.

Launching in late 2028, SR-1 Freedom will deliver the SkyFall science mission to Mars. The mission includes three Mars helicopters evolved from the Ingenuity design to collect scientific data, demonstrate exploration zones, and identify potential water sources.