Matthew Nelson
Seattle-based Ultra Safe Nuclear Technologies has developed a propulsion concept as part of NASA-funded research into systems for potential use in deep space test flights.
The concept employs a variant of USNC-Tech's Fully Ceramic Micro-encapsulated fuel product, supports high-temperature operation and produces thrust and specific impulse at levels that were only possible with high-enriched uranium, the company said Monday.
USNC-Tech added its technology requires a small amount of high-assay low-enriched uranium and seeks to facilitate a potential in-space transportation mode for crewed missions into deep space.
"Key to USNC-Tech's design is a conscious overlap between terrestrial and space reactor technologies," said CEO Paolo Venneri.
"This allows us to leverage the advancements in nuclear technology and infrastructure from terrestrial systems and apply them to our space reactors."
