A Houston-based space technology company's joint venture wants to develop nuclear-fission power systems to be used in space.
NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy chose three proposals to develop a fission surface power system that could be ready to launch for a demonstration on the moon by the end of the decade.
One of the selected proposals was submitted by IX, a joint venture between Houston-based Intuitive Machines and Maryland-based X-energy, which develops small-scale nuclear reactors. IX is being awarded a $5 million contract through the DOE's Idaho National Laboratory to fund development of the initial design concepts for a 40-kilowatt fission power system.
"This effective blend of companies brings existing and next-generation capabilities together to enable long-duration lunar surface missions," said Steve Altemus, president and CEO at Intuitive Machines. "Our capable team will provide an agile, affordable fission surface power solution to further human and robotic exploration of the lunar surface."
IX will also partner with Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA) and Maxar Technologies Inc. (NYSE: MAXR) in developing the concept designs. IX will leverage Boeing's experience in power generation for satellites and the International Space Station as well as Maxar's power management, communications and electronics expertise, the firm said.
X-energy was founded in 2009 by Kam Ghaffarian, who also co-founded Intuitive Machines and serves as the company's chairman. Ghaffarian also co-founded Houston-based Axiom Space, which launched a first-of-its-kind mission to the ISS crewed by private citizens in April.
"We recognize the importance of a dependable power source that can maintain lunar and Mars habitats around the clock, especially during the 14-day lunar nights," said X-energy CEO Clay Sell. "This combined spaceflight-nuclear technology will protect the environment while enabling long-term power capabilities for the lunar Artemis program and future Mars expeditions."
NASA and the DOE also selected proposals from Maryland-based Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE: LMT) and Pennsylvania-based Westinghouse Electric Co., which are also receiving $5 million contracts.
In 2019, Intuitive Machines was awarded a $77 million contract through NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program to develop, launch and land its Nova-C lander on the surface of the moon. Last year, NASA awarded Intuitive Machines a new $77.5 million contract to ferry four additional payloads to the moon in 2024.
Intuitive Machine's first mission to the lunar surface — dubbed IM-1 — will carry five NASA payloads plus commercial cargo and is scheduled for late 2022, according to NASA.
Last year, Intuitive Machines broke ground on its new $40 million lunar production and operations center at the Houston Spaceport. The facility will span across an estimated 12.5 acres and have more than 125,000 square feet of office and advanced-production space. The center, designed and built by Kansas City-based Burns & McDonnell, is expected to be completed by the end of 2022.
