What's Happening?
Zeno Power has signed a multimillion-dollar deal with Orano, a French nuclear recycler, to secure a steady supply of Americium-241 for its space nuclear batteries. This agreement provides Zeno with priority access to Americium-241 recovered from used nuclear fuel in France, addressing the scarcity of plutonium-238, which is commonly used in NASA's deep space missions. The Americium-241 isotope is attractive due to its long half-life and ability to support power systems for decades, making it ideal for lunar missions and infrastructure.
Why It's Important?
The deal is pivotal for Zeno Power's development of americium-fueled nuclear batteries, which are essential for supporting NASA's lunar and deep-space missions. By utilizing Americium-241, Zeno Power can conserve the limited supplies of plutonium-238 for flagship missions, ensuring sustainable power solutions for space exploration. This advancement could significantly impact the U.S. space industry, enhancing mission capabilities and fostering innovation in nuclear-powered systems for space applications.
What's Next?
Zeno Power plans to fly an americium-fueled radioisotope power system by the end of the decade, leveraging the fuel from Orano to scale its systems to meet domestic and international demand. The company is working with regulatory agencies to ensure compliance and expects commercial missions to be approved within 12-24 months from launch vehicle selection. Additionally, Zeno is developing strontium-fueled batteries for maritime-focused missions under a Department of Defense contract.
