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NASA's Space Reactor-1 (SR-1) Freedom will be the first spacecraft to use nuclear fission power beyond Earth's orbit, with a planned launch in late 2028 to Mars. The mission is advancing through key contract agreements, including Sierra Lobo Inc. providing the power conversion system that will work with a Department of Energy-designed fission reactor to create the nuclear power module. The spacecraft will demonstrate nuclear electric propulsion and deliver the SkyFall payload, consisting of three Mars helicopters based on the Ingenuity design, to collect scientific data and identify potential water sources.
Why it matters
This mission represents a crucial step toward enabling deep space exploration by demonstrating fission-powered spacecraft technology that could support lunar bases during darkness periods and missions where solar power is insufficient. The technology being developed could establish the foundation for future long-duration space missions requiring reliable power sources independent of solar energy availability.
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Destined for Mars and beyond, NASA’s Space Reactor-1 (SR-1) Freedom will be humanity’s first fission-powered spacecraft to travel outside Earth’s orbit. Announced during NASA’s “Ignition” event, this mission will demonstrate nuclear electric propulsion in deep space, and progress is underway on its key element: the nuclear power module. To expedite development of the spacecraft, NASA and its partners have mutually agreed to key contract actions that will advance the SR‑1 Freedom mission.
“These contract actions not only reduce technical risk and help us maintain momentum toward our 2028 launch, but they also strengthen collaboration across our partners,” said Steve Sinacore, SR-1 Freedom program director. “These actions keep SR‑1 Freedom on track and ensure we’re building the strongest possible foundation for NASA’s first fission‑powered voyage beyond Earth orbit while developing technology extensible to a vibrant space nuclear future.”
Sierra Lobo Inc. will provide the nuclear power module’s closed Brayton cycle power conversion system, which 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, to support spaceflight hardware design, development, testing, and operations at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland.
The power conversion system will be integrated with the fission reactor, which is being designed and developed by the Department of Energy (DOE)’s Idaho National Laboratory to complete the nuclear power module. NASA and DOE incorporate thorough safety standards throughout the design and development of the SR-1 Freedom spacecraft, including interagency safety reviews, continuous oversight by a NASA chief safety officer, regulatory compliance, and a rigorous safety design process focusing on hazards, failure tolerance, and nuclear safety. In addition, 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, a team of three Mars helicopters evolved from the Ingenuity design, to collect scientific data, demonstrate exploration zones, and identify potential water sources. The mission will pave the way for deep space exploration and next‑generation fission-powered systems designed to keep NASA’s Moon Base operating through periods of darkness and in locations where solar power alone is not sufficient.
For information about SR-1 Freedom, visit:
https://www.nasa.gov/mission/space-reactor-1-freedom/
Source: NASA’s SR-1 Freedom Advances with Progress on Nuclear Power Module