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.
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NASA has been working with the Department of Energy on the Kilopower project to develop surface nuclear reactors and has sought proposals to develop a reactor for use on the Moon.
NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy established a memorandum of understanding that was discussed during the Secretary of Energy Advisory Board meeting on 2020-10-20.
NASA and the Department of Energy established three working groups focused on lunar surface infrastructure, space nuclear power and propulsion, and science and innovation including space safety and planetary defense.
NASA and the Department of Energy signed a memorandum of understanding on 2020-10-20 to expand cooperation between the two agencies.
The agreement creates an executive committee jointly chaired by NASA’s deputy administrator and the Department of Energy’s deputy secretary that will meet on a regular basis to implement the agreement.
NASA’s Mars 2020 mission includes a radioisotope thermoelectric generator power source using plutonium provided by the Department of Energy.
Jim Bridenstine and Dan Brouillette signed the memorandum of understanding between NASA and the Department of Energy on 2020-10-20.
Radioisotope thermoelectric generators have powered missions such as NASA’s Mars 2020 mission through DOE–NASA cooperation on space nuclear power.
NASA and the Department of Energy will seek industry proposals later in 2020 for the development of a compact nuclear power system to support long-term lunar and Martian exploration plans.
DOE will lead the procurement in cooperation with NASA and will issue a formal request for proposals by early October 2020.
The Fiscal Year 2021 NDAA authorizes $25,900,000,000 for Department of Energy national security programs.
The Department of Energy has about $18,000,000,000 per year in R&D spending.
Descartes Labs was spun off from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Los Alamos National Laboratory in 2014 and is based in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
The Department of Energy is establishing the first entangled quantum network with sites in Chicago and New York.
The Department of Energy funds some astronomy research and is supporting development of an instrument for the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope in Chile that will be the largest digital camera built for astronomical applications.
The Department of Energy is developing technology to build an entangled quantum network connection to the International Space Station.
The Department of Energy’s annual R&D spending is about $18,000,000,000.
The president’s proposed national defense budget for 2020 totals $750 billion, including $718,000,000,000 for the Department of Defense and $32,000,000,000 for national security programs performed by the Department of Energy’s nuclear laboratories and other agencies.
Of the $750,000,000,000 defense request, $718,000,000,000 is for the Department of Defense and $32,000,000,000 is for national security programs performed by the Department of Energy’s nuclear laboratories and other agencies.