BWX Technologies (BWXT) is a U.S.-based manufacturing and engineering innovator providing nuclear solutions, including for space exploration. BWXT develops advanced nuclear reactor technologies, including nuclear thermal propulsion systems and microreactors for space applications, and manufactures nuclear fuel and components. They are partnered with NASA, the U.S. Department of Defense, and Lockheed Martin on projects like DRACO to develop nuclear propulsion for faster and more efficient space travel and fission surface power for lunar and Martian surface operations. BWXT also manages and operates several U.S. Department of Energy and NASA facilities.
All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.
BWXT provided the nuclear reactor and high-assay low-enriched uranium fuel for DRACO.
Lunar Forge is partnering with NASA’s Fission Surface Power program primes including Lockheed Martin with BWXT and Creare, Westinghouse Electric Company with Aerojet Rocketdyne and L3Harris, and the Intuitive Machines and X-Energy joint venture IX with Maxar and Boeing.
BWXT president of advanced technologies Kate Kelly said the commercial space nuclear industry does not exist today but could exist in the future.
BWX Technologies was selected to supply the nuclear reactor and fuel for DARPA’s Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations program.
Lockheed Martin, BWX Technologies, and potentially IX are likely candidates for a future SR-1 integration contract.
Dan Jablonsky is a board member of BWX Technologies.
The engineering development unit is 44 inches by 72 inches and was built by BWX Technologies of Richmond, Virginia.
BWX Technologies of Richmond, Virginia built the 44-inch by 72-inch engineering development unit.
Jonathan Cirtain holds a PhD in physics and previously served in senior roles at BWX Technologies and as Chief Strategist at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, as well as co-founding the machine learning company Astraea, Inc.
Lockheed Martin is cooperating with BWXT to develop the DRACO spacecraft.
Lockheed Martin partnered with BWX Technologies to develop the nuclear reactor and produce the HALEU fuel for the DRACO project.
Lockheed Martin has partnered with BWX Technologies to develop the nuclear reactor and produce the HALEU fuel for the DRACO project.
BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC will build the reactor and manufacture the HALEU fuel at facilities in Lynchburg, Virginia.
BWX Technologies will build the reactor and manufacture the HALEU fuel at its Lynchburg, Virginia facilities.
Lockheed Martin partnered with BWX Technologies to develop the nuclear reactor and produce the HALEU fuel for the DRACO project.
Lockheed Martin is partnering with BWXT on DRACO, with BWXT providing the spacecraft’s nuclear reactor and its high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) fuel.
NASA has been working on nuclear thermal propulsion technologies through July 2021 awards made in cooperation with the Department of Energy to BWX Technologies, General Atomics, and Ultra Safe Nuclear Technologies.
The July 2021 NASA–DOE contracts to BWX Technologies, General Atomics, and Ultra Safe Nuclear Technologies were valued at $5,000,000 each for one year and covered NTP reactor design.
BWX Technologies, working with Lockheed Martin, received one of the NASA nuclear thermal propulsion concept study contracts.
BWX Technologies has decades of experience with nuclear power systems, including NASA-funded nuclear thermal propulsion work.