Rolls-Royce to unveil ambitious plans for space at public lecture

Nuclear power experts Rolls-Royce will unveil their ambitious plans to send a Micro-Reactor to space in the latest public seminar series, taking place at Space Park Leicester later this month.

Rolls-Royce Assistant Chief Engineer Jonathan Adams and Head of Manufacturing Innovation Professor Gary Jones invite people to join them on Tuesday 28 March for the Novel Nuclear Technology in Space lecture.

The pair will speak about their plans to send a Micro-Reactor to space during the 60-minute lecture between 2pm and 3pm.

Professor Jones said: “Innovation is at the heart of Rolls-Royce, with over a century of engineering knowledge and more than 60 years of nuclear expertise. But it is only recently that our gaze has moved upwards to the stars, as we take our own innovation, technological and nuclear nous to reach right into the heart of space technology and exploration.

“Recent Space technology and exploration programmes are bold and growing. These exciting endeavours will need more available power than is currently available. Rolls-Royce is leading a UK power programme to energise human space aspirations.

“We invite everyone to join us to discover more about this incredible technology and the amazing implications in space and here on Earth.”

Rolls-Royce is the only company in the UK with a singular focus on creating mechanical, electrical and nuclear power solutions that will be essential in tackling the challenges of the future. Space is one such challenging and growing sector in which Rolls-Royce believe power, propulsion and thermal management will play a significant role.

A Micro-Reactor is a small nuclear reactor that can operate as part of the electric grid, independently from the electric grid, or as part of a microgrid to potentially generate up to 20 megawatts of thermal energy that can be used to generate electricity and provide heat for industrial applications.

In January 2021, Rolls-Royce signed an innovative contract with the UK Space Agency for a study into future nuclear power options for space exploration. This represents an exciting opportunity to define and shape the nuclear power solutions required in space in the decades to come.

With a world-leading power portfolio and a rich heritage that spans more than a century, Rolls-Royce is passionate about pioneering the most power dense and sustainable solutions to support the growth of the Space sector.

Visitors are required to confirm their attendance via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/566218212917.

Space Park Leicester has been designed to support increased collaboration between University of Leicester researchers and educators and the private sector, creating high quality knowledge-based jobs, building the skills base through training, and contributing to economic growth and resilience of the economy. 

The project is led by the University of Leicester in partnership with Leicester City Council and the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP).   

To find out more about Rolls-Royce visit: https://www.rolls-royce.com/innovation/space.aspx.