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India Launches Three SMRs Under Nuclear Energy Initiative

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India's Nuclear Energy Mission: A New Era in Sustainable Power India is making significant strides in its pursuit of sustainable and clean energy, with the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) leading the charge. The country has announced progress on its ambitious INR20,000 crore Nuclear Energy Mission, which aims to revolutionize the energy landscape by introducing advanced nuclear technologies. One of the key components of this mission is the development of small modular reactors (SMRs). These reactors are designed to be more efficient, flexible, and cost-effective compared to traditional large-scale nuclear power plants. The DAE has identified three specific types of SMRs as part of the initiative, each tailored to meet different energy needs across the country. Bharat Small Modular Reactors (BSMR-200) The first type, the Bharat Small Modular Reactors (BSMR-200), is intended for repurposing retiring thermal power plants and captive power plants used by energy-intensive industri...

NASA's Race to Power Moon and Mars with Nuclear Reactors

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U.S. Accelerates Nuclear Power for Lunar and Martian Exploration The United States is making a significant push to deploy nuclear power reactors on the Moon and Mars, with plans to launch the first system by the end of the decade. This initiative has been highlighted in a new NASA directive, which outlines the agency’s strategy to support long-term human presence on these celestial bodies. The directive, signed by acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy—who also serves as the U.S. Transportation Secretary—calls for the appointment of a nuclear power czar to evaluate two commercial proposals within six months. The move is framed as essential to maintaining a competitive edge against a joint Chinese-Russian effort to establish a lunar reactor by the mid-2030s. According to the memo, China and Russia have announced their collaboration on at least three occasions since March 2024. The directive warns that the first country to place a reactor on the Moon could establish a "keep-out zon...

NASA's 2030 Moon Reactor Mission

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The Race to the Moon: NASA’s Nuclear Ambitions NASA is making significant strides in its plan to send nuclear reactors to the Moon, with a goal of having a functional reactor by 2030. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to establish a sustainable presence on the lunar surface and secure key resources. According to NASA Administrator Sean Duffy, the United States is in a competitive race with China to claim strategic areas on the Moon, particularly those rich in water and other essential resources. Planting nuclear reactors on the Moon is seen as a more effective approach than merely planting flags or conducting short-term missions. Reactors can provide long-term power and support for scientific research, resource extraction, and potential future colonization efforts. By securing these areas, the U.S. aims to maintain a dominant position in lunar exploration and development. A Legacy of Nuclear Power in Space NASA has been utilizing nuclear technology since the 1960s, prim...