Intuitive Machines Selects Heat Source for Radioisotope Power System
Working Under an AFRL Space Vehicles Directorate Contract
The Cobalt-60 (Co-60) heat source from Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation (USNC) has been selected by Intuitive Machines for their Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate (“AFRL/RV”) Joint Emergent Technology Supplying On-Orbit Nuclear Power (“JETSON”) Low-power (“LP”) Mission Application contract.
“The use of a non-Pu-238 radioisotope (“Co-60”) and coupling it with a Stirling engine is a first not only for the nuclear industry but the space industry as well.”
Dr. Paolo Venneri, USNC
The $9.5 million JETSON Low-power contract, awarded in 2023, is developing a new spacecraft concept and design which utilizes a compact Radioisotope Power System (“RPS”) to provide electrical power. The RPS will use a Co-60 heat source from USNC to heat a Stirling cycle dynamic power conversion system, which in turn will provide electrical power for on-orbit mobility, thermal regulation, and payloads.
The JETSON Low Power team, led by Intuitive Machines, performed a thorough evaluation of multiple prospective heat sources, both radioisotope and fission-based, and selected Co-60 based on the information provided and known from other programs. This innovative demonstration of a radioisotope heat source coupled with a Stirling engine power converter supports the Department of Defense by furthering the development of alternate power sources for propulsion, electrical power, and maneuverability in space.
“The use of a non-Pu-238 radioisotope (“Co-60”) and coupling it with a Stirling engine is a first not only for the nuclear industry but the space industry as well,” says Dr. Paolo Venneri, EVP of Advanced Technologies at USNC, “I am proud of the team and eager to work with Intuitive Machines to get JETSON LP in space.”
The JETSON contract is another example of Intuitive Machines’ continued focus on diversifying revenue streams across civil, energy, national security, and defense.
“Selection of USNC to provide a Co-60 based heat source to the JETSON LP mission is an important step forward, not just for the JETSON effort but for future commercialization of Stirling-based dynamic power conversion for a wide range of space applications that we believe could fit well within Intuitive Machines strategic roadmap,” said Dr. Tim Crain, Intuitive Machines co-founder. “The Intuitive Machines team hopes to leverage their expertise in nuclear power systems, power generation, and space exploration to provide safe, efficient, and scalable solutions for a wide range of future space missions.