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/ Nuclear propulsion
Mars 2020 rover gets radioisotope fuel
Fuelling of a radioisotope-based power system for NASA's Mars 2020 rover has begun. The Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator - or MMRTG - uses heat from the natural radioactive decay of plutonium-238 to generate electricity as well as maintaining the rover's systems at the proper operating temperatures.
New Nuclear
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Thursday, 1 August 2019
Russia launches world's largest nuclear-powered icebreaker
A ceremony was held on 25 May at the Baltic Shipyard in Saint Petersburg to mark the launch of the
Ural
nuclear-powered icebreaker. The 173 metre-long
Ural
is one of three vessels of Project 22220 - featuring RITM-200 reactors - that will be able to break through 3-meter-thick ice as they escort vessels across the Arctic Ocean.
New Nuclear
·
Tuesday, 28 May 2019
UK generates usable electricity from americium
The UK's National Nuclear Laboratory and University of Leicester have generated usable electricity from the chemical element americium in what it believes to be a global first. The achievement is seen as a step towards potential use of americium in so-called space batteries, which may mean future space missions can be powered for up to 400 years.
New Nuclear
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Friday, 3 May 2019
Decommissioning milestone for space fuel plant
Equipment contaminated with plutonium from the manufacturing of fuel for deep space missions has been removed from the 235-F building at the US Department of Energy's Savannah River Site, marking a milestone in reducing risk at the South Carolina facility.
Waste & Recycling
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Thursday, 1 November 2018
Russia completes second reactor for
Ural
icebreaker
Zio-Podolsk, a subsidiary of Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom, has dispatched the second reactor for the
Ural
nuclear-powered icebreaker under construction at the Baltic Shipyard in Saint Petersburg.
New Nuclear
·
Thursday, 18 October 2018
NASA officials updated on nuclear thermal propulsion
BWX Technologies, Inc yesterday hosted officials from NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate for progress updates and technology demonstrations related to BWXT’s nuclear thermal propulsion programme.
New Nuclear
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Wednesday, 10 October 2018
Ural icebreaker passes construction milestone
Zio-Podolsk, a subsidiary of Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom, has completed the welding of four hydrochambers to the reactor body of the
Ural
nuclear-powered icebreaker.
New Nuclear
·
Wednesday, 1 August 2018
US project to recycle naval fuel gets Senate approval
The US Senate has approved a proposal for a USD15 million pilot programme to recycle used naval nuclear fuel for use as fuel in advanced nuclear reactors. The proposal was adopted by 87 votes to 9.
Waste & Recycling
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Friday, 22 June 2018
Viewpoint: European push for nuclear technology in space
The European Space Agency will host the international space and applications community in a workshop on 27-28 June to find out how best to prepare for the implementation of advanced radioisotope hybrid power systems. Here, Dr Markus Landgraf, architecture analyst in the Directorate of Human Spaceflight and Robotic Exploration Programmes at the European Space Research and Technology Centre, or ESTEC, explains the potential for nuclear technology in future space exploration. ESTEC is the ESA's main development and test centre for spacecraft and space technology.
Podcasts & Features
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Thursday, 31 May 2018
NASA successfully tests Kilopower reactor
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration yesterday announced the successful testing of a uranium-fuelled Stirling engine for use in possible future missions to Mars. Testing of the Kilopower reactor - which could be used to provide power to missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond - began at NASA's Nevada National Security Site in November 2017 and was completed in March.
Other News
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Thursday, 3 May 2018
NASA to test prototype Kilopower reactor
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will this month start testing uranium-fuelled Stirling engines for use in possible future missions to Mars. The technology has been developed as part of the Kilopower project.
Other News
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Friday, 17 November 2017
Putin stresses potential of Russian icebreaker fleet
Russia plans to put into operation a nuclear icebreaker "capable of piercing ice of any thickness", the country's president, Vladimir Putin, said yesterday.
New Nuclear
·
Thursday, 5 October 2017
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