Rolls-Royce developing nuclear reactor to power rockets and mine Moon and Mars

Would you be surprised to know that the original Rolls-Royce is not just a luxury car manufacturer, but also works with aero engines and nuclear reactors?

The luxury car manufacturer is currently working on a nuclear reactor to power mining operations on the Moon and Mars.

Dave Gordon, head of the company’s defense division, said the company is studying how a micro-nuclear reactor could be used to propel rockets while in space at huge speeds.

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They are also looking at how that technology could also be redeployed to provide energy for drilling, processing, and storage for mining on the Moon and possibly Mars.

Gordon also said this work is possible thanks to the amazing work done by Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk and their respective space companies.

Speaking of Elon Musk, SpaceX just launched its Falcon 9 Lunar lander.

According to Dave, Rolls-Royce is the only company on the planet that does mechanical, electrical, and a full end-to-end lifecycle of nuclear capability. 

The manufacturer could use its experience in developing nuclear-powered submarines for the Royal Navy for 60 years in its newest venture.

They can apply what they have learned to spacecraft since submarines and spaceships are somewhat similar. 

Rolls-Royce also released a joint study into nuclear power options for space rockets with the UK Space Agency earlier this year.