USA, Ohio, Cleveland: NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland has issued a request for information (RFI) on a Fission Surface Power (FSP) system designed to provide sustainable electricity for future lunar and Mars missions. The initiative supports the return of humans to the Moon and the first American mission to Mars.
The proposed system must generate at least 100 kW of electrical power, weigh under 15 metric tons, and use a closed Brayton cycle power conversion system to convert reactor heat into electricity. Targeted readiness is by the first quarter of fiscal year 2030.
NASA intends to operate the unit on the lunar surface, supplying power to landers, rovers, and pressurised habitats. The system is designed to function during extended lunar nights, which last more than 14 Earth days, and in areas without sunlight. A longer-term goal is deployment of a nuclear reactor on the Moon by the mid-2030s to support both lunar and Martian power generation.
The RFI invites industry to outline capabilities across the full lifecycle: development, testing, transport, launch, deployment, and sustained operation. Responses are also sought on risks to schedule, supply chain challenges, applicable standards, and additional services such as communications or thermal management.
NASA highlighted the importance of safe, reliable, and efficient power as a cornerstone for sustained human exploration. Technical solutions will require not only nuclear generation but also advanced distribution, switching, and protection systems similar to those used in terrestrial grids.
Responses to the RFI are due by 21 August 2025.
Source: Military Aerospace Electronics
