Kilopower / KRUSTY

Kilopower / KRUSTY — Small Space Fission Reactor

Program Overview Kilopower is a NASA/LANL/DOE collaborative program to develop small fission reactors (1-10 kilowatt-electric) for space missions. The KRUSTY (Kilopower Reactor Using Stirling TechnologY) ground test was conducted in March 2018 at the Nevada National Security Site, demonstrating a full-power reactor run using Stirling engine power conversion.

Strategic Relevance Kilopower/KRUSTY is the first successful U.S. space reactor test since the 1960s SNAP programs. It validates the technology base for future nuclear space missions including lunar surface power, Mars surface power, and nuclear electric propulsion. The reactor uses highly enriched uranium (HEU) fuel, which connects it to the broader nuclear nonproliferation and stockpile stewardship architecture.

Key Details

• NASA/LANL/DOE collaboration, started 2015
• KRUSTY prototype tested March 20, 2018 at NNSS
• 1 kWe demonstration using Stirling engine conversion
• Uses U-235 Highly Enriched Uranium fuel (93% enrichment)
• LANL designed the reactor, NASA Glenn designed power conversion
• Successor to SP-100 technology base

Connection to the Three-Track Architecture Kilopower/KRUSTY represents the White Track's revival of space nuclear power. The use of HEU fuel directly connects it to the NNSA stockpile stewardship mission (Black Track), as HEU is a weapons-usable material. The reactor technology is directly applicable to nuclear electric propulsion (JETSON) and lunar surface power for the Golden Dome missile defense architecture.