NASA Advances Space Reactor 1 Freedom Deep Space Mission
NASA has reported progress on the nuclear power module for its uncrewed Space Reactor 1 Freedom mission targeting a 2028 launch.
FTMQ Space, written by our newsroom0 views
NASA News reported on October 20, 2026, that the agency is advancing progress on the nuclear power module for Space Reactor 1 Freedom. NASA plans to launch the uncrewed spacecraft in 2028 to demonstrate nuclear electric propulsion in deep space. Space Reactor 1 Freedom will be the first fission powered spacecraft designed to travel beyond Earth orbit. [1][2]
NASA and its project partners have agreed on contract actions to accelerate spacecraft development and reduce technical risk, according to NASA News. The mission was formally announced during NASA Ignition event as part of efforts to explore Mars and deep space destinations. [1][2]
The spacecraft will integrate a Power and Propulsion Element built by Lanteris Space Systems. The element utilizes ion thrusters for nuclear electric propulsion alongside higher thrust bipropellant chemical thrusters. [3]
NASA reported that the recent contractual adjustments help maintain momentum toward the scheduled 2028 launch while strengthening partner collaboration on the power module. [1][2]
In short
- Space Reactor 1 Freedom is scheduled to launch in 2028 to demonstrate nuclear electric propulsion.
- The spacecraft will be the first fission powered vehicle to operate outside Earth orbit.
- Lanteris Space Systems is developing the Power and Propulsion Element with ion and chemical thrusters.
- NASA announced progress on the spacecraft power module during its Ignition event.
Sources
Every paragraph above points to the numbered items it rests on. Read the originals here.
- [1]NASA’s SR-1 Freedom Advances with Progress on Nuclear Power ModuleNASA News, 11h ago (the report this story comes from)
- [2]NASA’s SR-1 Freedom Advances with Progress on Nuclear Power ModuleNASA (.gov), 11h ago
Background
- [3]Power and Propulsion Element on Wikipedia
- [4]NuScale Power on Wikipedia
- [5]Progress on Wikipedia
Our newsroom writes these reports with the help of software, from the 5 sources listed and nothing else, and checks them against those sources. Facts can still be wrong or move on; the originals are the record. Spotted a mistake? Write to daniel@monsterkong.com.
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