" NASA PARTNERS WITH DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, FOR SPACE EXPLORATION"

["Jaro" <jaro-10kbq@sympatico.ca>]

RELEASE: 04-096



NASA PARTNERS WITH DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, FOR SPACE EXPLORATION



NASA has a new partner in its mission to explore the universe and search for

life.



The Department of Energy's (DOE) Naval Reactors (NR) program joins NASA in

its effort to investigate and develop space nuclear power and propulsion

technologies for civilian applications. These activities could enable

unprecedented space exploration missions and scientific return unachievable

with current technology.



NR brings 50-plus years of practical experience in developing safe, rugged,

reliable, compact and long-lived reactor systems designed to operate in

unforgiving environments. NR is a joint DOE and Department of the Navy

organization responsible for all aspects of naval nuclear propulsion.



The partnership is responsible for developing the first NASA spacecraft, the

Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter (JIMO), that will take advantage of a

nuclear-reactor energy source for exploring our solar system. JIMO will

visit Jupiter's three icy moons, Ganymede, Callisto and Europa. These icy

worlds, in particular Europa, are believed to have liquid-water oceans,

under a thick layer of ice on their surfaces, which could potentially harbor

life.



The reactor system will provide substantially more electrical power. This

will greatly enhance the capability of ion-drive propulsion, the number and

variety of scientific instruments on the spacecraft, the rate of data

transmission, and orbital maneuvering around Jupiter's moons.



NASA sought this partnership because NR has an enduring commitment to safety

and environmental stewardship that is a requirement for an undertaking of

this magnitude, " said NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe.



"This partnership will help ensure the safe development and use of a

space-fission reactor to enable unparalleled science and discovery as we

explore the solar system and beyond. This work is an integral piece of the

President's exploration agenda," Administrator O'Keefe said.



NASA, through its newly created Office of Exploration Systems, expects that

several reactor modules of the same or similar design as that required for

JIMO would be developed for use on future exploration missions. NR will

direct and oversee the development, design and delivery of, and operational

support for these civilian reactor modules.



The Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology, another DOE

organization with extensive nuclear-reactor development experience, will

retain responsibility for supporting NASA's other space nuclear technology

efforts, including long-term space-reactor science and technology

development not associated with NR's responsibilities.



All activities in support of NASA will be conducted as part of NR's civilian

responsibilities for the National Nuclear Security Administration, a

semi-autonomous agency of DOE.

Activities in support of NASA are not part of NR's Navy responsibilities or

any Department of Defense activities. This partnership with NASA is

consistent with NR's history of supporting fission-reactor work for civilian

applications, including the first U.S. commercial production of electricity

from nuclear power at the Shippingport Atomic Power Station.



NASA will fund all work under the partnership.

Specific roles and responsibilities will be defined in Memoranda of

understanding and Agreements currently being drafted by NASA and NR. NR and

the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy will also review capabilities and

facilities at DOE laboratories outside NR for consideration in support of

JIMO and other Project Prometheus activities.



Established in 2003, Project Prometheus is developing radioisotope electric

power sources for use in space and on planets or moons, as well as new

fission-reactor power sources for advanced missions into deep space

requiring higher power levels for science observations, propulsion,

communications and life support systems.



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