NASA’s SR-1 Freedom Advances with Progress on Nuclear Power Module
2 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) Space Reactor-1 Freedom will be the first spacecraft ever to demonstrate fission power beyond Earth’s orbit, traveling to Mars to deliver a science payload called SkyFall. NASA/Alberto Bertolin Destined for Mars and beyond, NASA’s Space Reactor-1 (SR-1) Freedom will be humanity’s first fission-powered spacecraft to travel outside Earth’s orbit. Announced during NASA’s “ Ignition ” event, this mission will demonstrate nuclear electric propulsion in deep space, and progress is underway on its key element: the nuclear power module. To expedite development of the spacecraft, NASA and its partners have mutually agreed to key contract actions that will advance the SR‑1 Freedom mission. “These contract actions not only reduce technical risk and help us maintain momentum toward our 2028 launch, but they also strengthen collaboration across our partners,” said Steve Sinacore, SR-1 Freedom program direc...
