Promoting Small Modular Reactors for National Defense and Space Exploration
Headline: Federal Government Promotes Small Modular Reactors for Defense and Space
What it does: Agencies must develop, demonstrate, and coordinate small modular and micro-reactor technologies for military and space uses.
- Pilots micro-reactors at United States military bases to improve energy resilience.
- NASA must plan for nuclear power on Moon and Mars missions.
- Federal support to develop domestic nuclear fuel production for advanced reactors.
Summary
This order directs federal agencies to promote and test small modular nuclear reactors and micro-reactors for United States military installations and NASA space missions.
The Defense Department must demonstrate a Nuclear Regulatory Commission-licensed micro-reactor at a domestic military base, pilot transportable prototypes, and analyze requirements for military and space uses. The NASA Administrator must define nuclear system requirements for missions through 2040 and analyze costs and benefits.
The Energy Department must complete a demonstration of United States-origin enrichment technology for advanced reactor fuel, and agencies must develop a common technology roadmap through 2030.
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