NASA backs nuclear propulsion materials and lunar energy storage research

(SpaceEnergy) NASA has selected three US universities for research into nuclear propulsion materials, spacecraft propulsion hardware and lunar energy storage, within a $12 million programme announced on 15 October.

The awards form part of the agency's Minority University Research and Education Project Space Technology Artemis Research (M-STAR) initiative, supporting 12 institutions with individual contributions of up to $1 million.

Virginia Commonwealth University will investigate boron nitride nanotube-reinforced multifunctional composites for secondary hardware used in nuclear thermal propulsion systems.

The research will focus on materials intended to withstand radiation exposure while remaining compatible with hydrogen, the propellant used in nuclear thermal rocket concepts.

Prairie View A&M University in Texas has been selected to develop functionally graded interfaces for repairing propulsion components made from copper and high-temperature superalloys.

Its project will investigate directed energy deposition manufacturing techniques, supported by artificial intelligence and machine learning, to advance the design and validation of repaired propulsion hardware.

The University of New Mexico will undertake POWER-Artemis, a research programme addressing batteries and fuel cells capable of operating in the extreme environments encountered during sustained lunar and Martian exploration.

The three projects address distinct challenges involving propulsion-material durability, hardware manufacturing and reliable electrical power for planetary surface operations.

NASA said the wider M-STAR programme aims to strengthen university research capabilities while advancing technologies required for long-duration exploration.

The agency did not provide individual confirmed award amounts, technical performance targets or flight demonstration schedules in its announcement.

The selections represent research funding commitments rather than completed hardware qualification or operational demonstrations.