Air Force Awarded $161 Million Space Nuclear Contract
Antares Nuclear will develop and test new microreactor systems to power future U.S. spacecraft missions.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Nuclear
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The Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force has awarded Antares Nuclear a $161 million contract to advance space-based nuclear power technology. The initiative aims to close a 60-year orbital power gap that has existed since the U.S. last operated a nuclear reactor in space in 1965.
Why it matters
Nuclear power for spacecraft removes critical maneuverability constraints and enables the heavy data computation required for modern orbital operations. This contract supports the development of microreactors intended to eventually provide sustained power for both spacecraft and lunar surface missions.
Antares Nuclear successfully achieved zero-power criticality with its Mark-0 microreactor in June 2026. The company currently operates specialized facilities across California, Idaho, and South Carolina to support this reactor development.
The players
Antares Nuclear
This private company specializes in microreactor development and maintains facilities in California, Idaho, and South Carolina.
Centrus Energy
This corporation operates the only licensed high-assay low-enriched uranium production plant in the United States.
Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force
This military administrative body oversees the procurement of advanced technologies for United States aerospace defense.
The details
Under the new agreement, Antares will conduct a nuclear ground demonstration of its R1-S microreactor and integrate the system for flight certification. To fuel these reactors, Antares has secured a multi-year supply contract with Centrus Energy, which operates the only licensed high-assay low-enriched uranium production facility in the U.S.
Timeline
The last U.S. space nuclear reactor mission occurred in 1965.
Executive Order 14369 was issued in December 2025.
The Mark-0 reactor achieved zero-power criticality in June 2026.
The company is scheduled to test the Mark-1 reactor in 2027.
The U.S. plans to land a nuclear reactor on the lunar surface by 2030.
Deeper Dive
This project marks the first major effort to return nuclear power to orbit since the 1965 SNAP-10A mission. The move represents a paradigm shift in spacecraft design, moving away from conventional solar arrays toward high-output nuclear fission systems.
The transition to nuclear power in space will enable more advanced orbital data computation and expanded maneuverability for future U.S. spacecraft. This development serves as a precursor to commercialized lunar infrastructure, which could lower the energy barrier for long-term space exploration.
The takeaway
The return of nuclear reactors to space represents a strategic move to provide the high-wattage power required for modern computing and deep space mission profiles. This shift signals a major transition in aerospace engineering as reliance on solar power is supplemented by consistent nuclear energy.
What happens next
Antares Nuclear is scheduled to conduct testing on its Mark-1 electricity-producing reactor in 2027, with the U.S. government aiming to launch reactors into space by 2028 and land on the lunar surface by 2030.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Nuclear energy and reactor technology.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Nuclear Engineering International.
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