NASA awards three designs for nuclear power on Moon.

NASA, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy, chose three companies

NASA held a national contest to design concepts for nuclear power systems on the moon. The space agency has recently announced the names of three winners. NASA, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), chose three companies that designed concept proposals for a fission surface power system design. The systems could be ready to launch to the moon for a demonstration by the end of the decade. Three companies awarded are Westinghouse of Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, IX of Houston, Texas, and Lockheed Martin, of Bethesda, Maryland. Each of these companies will be rewarded a $5 million contract to turn their primary design concepts into a "40-kilowatt class fission power system" that is capable of providing power on the moon for at least ten years.

NASA said fission systems are comparatively small and lightweight compared to other power systems. Fission systems could also bring about continuous power regardless of the availability of sunlight, location, and other natural environmental conditions. According to NASA, the Phase 1 awards will provide them with critical information from the industry that can develop into a joint collaboration for a full flight-certified fission power system.