NASA seeks industry input on lunar and Mars fission power system for 2030 launch

Questions and answers: 

What is the purpose of NASA’s Fission Surface Power System initiative? The Fission Surface Power System is intended to provide continuous electrical power on the lunar surface and support future human exploration on Mars. It would enable sustained operations near crewed landers, rovers, and habitats, even in areas without sunlight or during lunar nights.

What are the technical specifications of the Fission Surface Power System? NASA seeks a system capable of producing at least 100 kilowatts of electrical power, with a mass allocation of less than 15 metric tons. The system will use a closed Brayton cycle power conversion system and is targeted for launch readiness by the first quarter of fiscal year 2030.

How can industry participate in this NASA effort? Companies are invited to respond to a Request for Information to provide feedback on end-to-end service capabilities, which may include development, testing, transportation, launch, landing, deployment, and sustained operation of the system. Respondents can also indicate interest in performing specific portions of the project.

CLEVELAND - The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Glenn Research Center in Cleveland is seeking industry feedback on a potential Fission Surface Power (FSP) System that would provide sustainable power for future lunar and Mars missions. The effort supports the agency’s initiative to return humans to the Moon and eventually send the first American astronaut to Mars.

NASA is asking for input on a system capable of producing at least 100 kilowatts of electrical power, weighing less than 15 metric tons, and using a closed Brayton cycle power conversion system, which converts heat to electricity. The system is targeted to be ready for launch by the first quarter of fiscal year 2030.

NASA intends to operate the FSP system on the lunar surface near human-rated landers, rovers, and pressurized habitats, enabling continuous power even in areas without sunlight and during lunar nights that last more than 14 Earth days. The agency recently announced plans to put a nuclear reactor on the Moon by the mid-2030s to support lunar exploration, power generation on Mars, and strengthen U.S. national security in space.

"Today’s call for industry input is an important step toward engaging the commercial space industry in powering the lunar economy and enabling future human exploration on Mars," said Steve Sinacore, Fission Surface Power program executive at Glenn. "Developing a safe, reliable, and efficient power supply is key to unlocking the future of human space exploration and ensuring America retains its dominance in space."

Related: NASA announces trio of companies selected to advance lunar surface vehicle

RFI goals

The RFI invites companies to share their interest and capabilities in providing the full end-to-end service - from development, testing, and transportation through launch, landing, deployment, and sustained operation - or to identify specific portions they could perform.

NASA is also asking industry to outline the level of agency support that may be required, such as access to special nuclear materials, test facilities, technical expertise, or launch services. Respondents are encouraged to identify risks to meeting the 2030 readiness date, including technical, programmatic, regulatory, and supply chain challenges. Additional feedback is sought on relevant commercial or government standards, potential capability gaps, and the benefits or drawbacks of providing related services such as communications support or thermal management.

The program is managed at Glenn and funded by NASA’s Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate Moon to Mars Program. Responses to the RFI are due by 5 p.m. EDT on 21 August 2025. This RFI's primary point of contact is Matthew Evans, who can be emailed at [email protected]. More information is available at https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/ff7181661cb94e6fa0fb14ca89013730/view.