U.S.-based Zeno Power has announced a multi-million dollar agreement with French nuclear recycling firm Orano to secure a supply of americium-241. The material, derived from used nuclear fuel, will be used to power a new generation of batteries for space missions, including potential NASA projects on the Moon.
This partnership aims to establish a commercial supply chain for americium-241, an alternative to the traditionally used plutonium-238, which is in limited supply. The collaboration leverages Orano's expertise in nuclear material recycling to create a sustainable power source for long-duration space exploration.
Key Takeaways
- Zeno Power is investing millions for priority access to americium-241 from Orano's la Hague facility in France.
- Americium-241 will be used as a fuel for radioisotope power systems (RPS) for lunar rovers, landers, and infrastructure.
- This initiative provides an alternative to plutonium-238, the current standard for deep space missions, which faces supply constraints.
- The agreement highlights the potential of recycling used nuclear fuel to support new technological and scientific endeavors.
A New Power Source for Space Exploration
Space missions operating far from the sun, such as those on the lunar surface or in deep space, cannot rely on solar panels for continuous power. For decades, the solution has been radioisotope power systems, which use the heat from the natural decay of radioactive materials to generate electricity.
The standard fuel for these systems has been plutonium-238. However, global supplies are limited, and production is complex and costly. As the demand for long-duration power sources for space exploration grows, agencies like NASA have been actively seeking viable alternatives.
The Role of Americium-241
Zeno Power is focusing its development efforts on americium-241 (Am-241). This isotope is a byproduct of the radioactive decay of plutonium isotopes found within used nuclear fuel from power plants. Instead of being stored indefinitely as waste, it can be extracted and repurposed.
Long-Lasting Energy
Americium-241 has a half-life of more than 430 years. This long decay period means that a power system fueled by Am-241 can reliably generate electricity for many decades, far exceeding the operational lifespan of most space missions.
The partnership between Zeno Power and Orano, which began with feasibility studies in 2022, is now moving toward creating a stable supply. Orano will use its advanced facilities at la Hague, France, one of the world's leading nuclear recycling centers, to separate and process the Am-241.
Strategic Partnership to Fuel Lunar Ambitions
The agreement gives Zeno Power priority access to this newly established supply of Am-241. The company is currently developing RPS technology for NASA, which could be used to power a range of equipment for upcoming lunar missions under the Artemis program. This includes rovers that explore shadowed craters and stationary landers that conduct long-term scientific experiments.
Harsh S Desai, Chief Commercial Officer at Zeno Power, emphasized the importance of this new fuel source. He noted that the demand for reliable nuclear power in space is growing rapidly.
"With Orano's world-class operational recycling expertise, we can now harness americium-241 (Am-241) as a new fuel source for the burgeoning demand for nuclear power. We are proud to partner with Orano to establish a commercial supply chain for Am-241, transforming recycled material into reliable power for missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond."
The collaboration is a key step in building the infrastructure needed to support a sustained human and robotic presence on the Moon and, eventually, on Mars.
What is a Radioisotope Power System (RPS)?
An RPS is essentially a nuclear battery. It contains a radioactive material that decays over time, producing heat. This heat is converted into electricity by devices called thermocouples. Unlike solar panels, RPSs provide a constant supply of power, regardless of sunlight, making them ideal for missions in dark or distant environments.
The Value of Nuclear Recycling
This deal underscores a significant shift in how used nuclear fuel is perceived. Historically treated as waste requiring long-term storage, materials from spent fuel are now being recognized as valuable resources for other high-tech industries.
Orano has been a proponent of this circular economy approach for the nuclear industry. By extracting valuable isotopes like americium, the company not only creates new products but also reduces the volume and long-term radiotoxicity of the final waste.
Jean-Luc Palayer, CEO of Orano USA, highlighted this transformative potential.
"Americium-241 represents a powerful opportunity to demonstrate the real-world value of used nuclear fuel recycling. Our collaboration with Zeno shows how industrial-scale recovery of valuable isotopes can create entirely new markets and enable innovative ideas to become reality. As we like to say: It’s only waste if you waste it."
Future Implications for the Space Industry
The establishment of a commercial Am-241 supply chain could have broad implications for the space industry. A more accessible and potentially less expensive fuel source for RPSs could enable a greater number of ambitious, long-duration missions by both government agencies and commercial companies.
Key benefits of a stable Am-241 supply include:
- Reduced reliance on the limited global inventory of plutonium-238.
- Enabling new missions that require continuous power for decades.
- Supporting permanent infrastructure on the Moon, such as communication relays or science stations.
- Lowering barriers for private companies to develop their own deep space exploration missions.
As Zeno Power continues to develop its Am-241 powered systems and Orano scales up production, this partnership could become a cornerstone of the expanding space economy, powering the next generation of discovery.