Choosing a Suitable Location for NASA's Lunar Nuclear Power Plant Proves to be More Challenge than Expected
The U.S.-led Moon base, as part of NASA's Artemis campaign, is set to receive a significant power source: a nuclear fission reactor. According to the acting NASA Administrator, Sean Duffy, plans for its deployment on the lunar surface are scheduled for 2030 1. The reactor will likely serve as the main energy provider, enabling continuous power use for water extraction and other operations 3.
Prime Locations for the Lunar Nuclear Reactor
The polar regions of the Moon, particularly permanently shadowed craters like the Crater of Eternal Darkness, are prime candidates for the reactor's placement. These craters harbor water ice trapped in the soil and maintain stable, cold environments 1. While the poles also feature peaks of near-perpetual sunlight, valuable for solar power, the nearby shadowed craters lack sunlight, making nuclear power essential 13.
Protection from Regolith Plumes
Lunar missions have shown that rocket launches and landings kick up regolith (lunar dust), which can damage equipment 1. To mitigate this risk, site selection for nuclear reactors will likely avoid frequent launch/landing zones. Placing reactors in stable, less trafficked areas near poles but away from landing pad dust plumes would enhance reactor safety and longevity 1. Additionally, reactor design and shielding must consider dust mitigation strategies to prevent regolith abrasion and interference 1.
Confirming Water Ice Deposits with VIPER
NASA's Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) mission is built, passed environmental testing, and awaits a ride to the Moon for investigating groundwater ice deposits. VIPER will be used to confirm or deny the orbital observations of potential water ice deposits 1.
A Step Towards a Permanent Lunar Presence
A nuclear reactor delivers consistent power through the cold lunar night, which could potentially support a permanent human presence on the Moon. However, landing a spacecraft near a pre-positioned asset on the Moon can cause corrosion due to the regolith plume. To address this, the development of custom launch and landing pads will be necessary for any site chosen, as it will take multiple visits to build a lunar base 1.
Six lunar orbital missions have collected and in some cases are still collecting relevant data that can help scientists pinpoint which water ice deposits are worth pursuing 1. Temporary solutions for the lack of custom launch and landing pads could involve using the lunar surface's natural topography or placing important assets behind large boulders.
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