Context:
With ambitions for a sustained human presence on the Moon and Mars, spacefaring nations are increasingly exploring nuclear power solutions. The Lunar Fission Surface Power Project, led by the United States, proposes deploying a small nuclear reactor on the Moon by the early 2030s, reigniting debates on technological feasibility, safety, and international legal frameworks governing nuclear activities in outer space.
Key Highlights:
Why Nuclear Power in Space?
- Lunar nights last ~14 Earth days, severely limiting solar power
- Polar regions have intermittent sunlight
- Nuclear power provides continuous, high-density energy for long-duration missions
Current and Emerging Technologies
Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs):
- Convert heat from radioactive decay into electricity
- Used in missions like Voyager
- Limitation: Low power output, suitable only for instruments
Compact Fission Reactors:
- Size comparable to a shipping container
- Power output: tens to hundreds of kilowatts
- Suitable for lunar bases, habitats, and in-situ resource utilisation (ISRU)
Advanced Propulsion Systems:
- Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP):
- Heats propellant using nuclear energy
- Shortens Mars travel time, reducing crew radiation exposure
- Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP):
- Provides efficient, low-thrust propulsion for deep-space probes
Detailed Insights:
Operational Advantages
- On Mars, reactors can be buried under regolith
- Provides shielding from cosmic radiation
- Ensures stable energy for habitats, oxygen production, and fuel generation
Legal and Governance Gaps
Existing International Frameworks:
- 1992 UN Principles on Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space:
- Provide non-binding guidelines
- Lack technical standards for reactor design, operation, and disposal
- Outer Space Treaty (1967):
- Prohibits weapons of mass destruction, but not power reactors
- Liability Convention:
- Addresses damage liability, not preventive safety norms
- Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT):
- Partial relevance, no space-specific provisions
Key Pitfalls and Risks:
- Potential radioactive contamination of celestial bodies
- Accident risks during launch, operation, or disposal
- Absence of binding rules on end-of-life management
Need for Updated Global Governance
- Expand legal frameworks to cover:
- Propulsion reactors
- Operational safety benchmarks
- Disposal and decommissioning standards
- Proposal for a multilateral oversight body, similar to the IAEA, to:
- Certify reactor designs
- Verify compliance
- Enhance transparency and trust
India’s Strategic Opportunity
- ISRO and Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) collaboration
- Potential leadership in safe space nuclear technologies
- Aligns with India’s ambitions in deep-space exploration
Relevant Prelims Points:
- RTGs:
- Convert radioactive decay heat into electricity
- In-Situ Resource Utilisation (ISRU):
- Use of local planetary resources for fuel, oxygen, and materials
- Nuclear Thermal Propulsion:
- Nuclear-heated propellant for high-efficiency thrust
- Issue & Impact:
- Enables long-duration missions
- Raises safety and legal concerns
Relevant Mains Points:
- Science & Technology Dimension:
- Nuclear power as an enabler of interplanetary exploration
- Trade-off between energy density and safety
- International Relations Dimension:
- Need for updated multilateral norms
- Space as a global commons requiring cooperative governance
- Keywords & Concepts:
- Space nuclear power, planetary protection, global commons
- Way Forward:
- Develop binding international standards
- Establish independent multilateral oversight
- Invest in safe reactor and propulsion R&D
- Ensure transparency and confidence-building among spacefaring nations
UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):
- GS 3: Science & Technology, Space Technology
- GS 2: International Relations, Global Governance