DARPA Greenlights Ground Test for Autonomous Nuclear Reactor Controller
Space Nuclear Power Corporation (SpaceNukes) has secured a DARPA agreement to develop and ground-test an autonomous nuclear reactor controller, evolving the proven Kilopower architecture for dynamic national security missions.
DARPA Secures Autonomous Nuclear Fission Capability
LOS ALAMOS, N.M. — The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has activated a new Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) with Space Nuclear Power Corporation (SpaceNukes). According to SpaceNews, the contract falls under the Fat Cat (Fast Capacitance) program managed by the Defense Sciences Office. The mission objective: advance autonomous reactor operations for high-stakes national security applications.
Evolution of the Kilopower Architecture
The project builds on the technical lineage of the 2018 KRUSTY (Kilopower Reactor Using Stirling Technology) demonstration. While the original KRUSTY test utilized passive control, this follow-on initiative introduces active control rod operation. SpaceNukes, in collaboration with Los Alamos National Laboratory, will design and execute a full nuclear ground test of a Kilopower reactor featuring this upgraded autonomous architecture.
Technical Roadmap
The phased program encompasses design, procurement, and hardware integration. Leading the integration is Chief Engineer Marc Gibson at the company's Medina, Ohio, facility. The project aims to deliver both tested hardware and the engineering framework required for dynamic power management in space environments.
“There is no substitute for demonstrated technology when national security objectives are at stake,” stated Andy Phelps, CEO of SpaceNukes. By transitioning from passive to active control, the team aims to support mission profiles requiring rapid response and varying operational loads.
Industrial Impact
SpaceNukes holds the exclusive license from Los Alamos National Laboratory for Kilopower technology. This agreement ensures that the core team behind the only successful U.S. space reactor test in five decades remains at the forefront of nuclear propulsion and power. The development signals a shift toward agile, machine-governed fission systems designed for the harsh constraints of orbital and deep-space deployment.