The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) plays a crucial role in the space industry by providing essential technologies and research support for space exploration and national security missions. It acts as a key partner with NASA and other agencies in developing space-based power systems, including radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) and fission surface power systems, which provide electricity and heat in the harsh conditions of space. The DOE also contributes to space science research, particularly in understanding dark matter and dark energy, and supports the development of quantum technologies for space applications. Keywords associated with the DOE's space involvement include radioisotope power systems, space nuclear power, quantum technology, NASA partnerships, and space exploration.
All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.
The FY27 NASA budget proposal sets aside $135.3 million for radioisotope power systems through a partnership with the Department of Energy.
DECam was built by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Rubin Observatory is a joint program of NSF NOIRLab and the U.S. Department of Energy’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory.
In June 2022, the Department of Energy and NASA awarded IX a $5 million Phase 1 contract to mature a Fission Surface Power design capable of delivering at least 40 kWe to the lunar surface.
The IX joint venture was formed by Intuitive Machines and X-energy to compete for NASA and Department of Energy fission surface power contracts.
NASA’s SR-1 Freedom program includes an explicit Department of Energy partnership.
The Department of Energy manages nuclear fuel under the HALEU Availability Program.
DESI is built and operated with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science.
The DESI collaboration has support from the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science, the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center, the U.S. National Science Foundation, the United Kingdom Science and Technology Facilities Council, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the Heising-Simons Foundation, France’s Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission, Mexico’s SECIHTI, Spain’s Ministry of Science and Innovation, and DESI member institutions.
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory manages the DESI project for the U.S. Department of Energy.
NASA is working with the Department of Energy and private-sector partners on the Space Reactor-1 and Lunar Reactor-1 missions.
The Department of Energy is mandated to supply uranium for reactor fuel if commercial sources are unavailable or insufficient.
The Department of Energy will assess the readiness of the U.S. nuclear industrial base to manufacture up to four space reactors within five years.
NASA, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Defense aim to field a 20-kilowatt space-based reactor by 2028 aboard SR-1 Freedom.
The Department of Energy must submit its industrial-base readiness report within 60 days.
NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy have announced plans to build a nuclear reactor on the lunar surface by 2030.
The Department of Energy could develop and own the nuclear devices launched into space.
NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy are partnering on the Space Reactor-1 Freedom effort.
NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy are partnering on the Space Reactor-1 Freedom mission.
NASA and the Department of Energy are accelerating development of a 100-kWe fission surface power system for space.