Experiments
Experiments glossary term

Kilopower / KRUSTY

First successful U.S. space reactor test since the 1960s SNAP programs. Validates technology for nuclear electric propulsion and lunar surface power.

Experiments Also: Kilopower / KRUSTY, kilopower-krusty, KRUSTY, Kilopower Reactor Using Stirling Technology Has Dossier → 0 sources

01 Definition

A NASA/LANL/DOE program to develop small fission reactors (1-10 kWe) for space power. The KRUSTY prototype was successfully tested in March 2018 at the Nevada National Security Site.

02 Detailed_Analysis

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, demonstrating a full-power reactor run.

03 Key_Facts

  • ▸ NASA/LANL/DOE collaboration
  • ▸ 1-10 kWe reactor
  • ▸ KRUSTY tested March 2018
  • ▸ Uses HEU fuel

04 Deep_Dive_Intelligence

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.

05 Intelligence_Analysis

Kilopower / KRUSTY — Small Space Fission Reactor

Kilopower is a NASA/LANL/DOE program to develop small fission reactors (1-10 kWe) for space power. The KRUSTY prototype was successfully tested in March 2018. The use of HEU fuel connects it to the NNSA stockpile stewardship mission (Black Track). The reactor technology is directly applicable to nuclear electric propulsion (JETSON) and lunar surface power.

06 Related_Terms (2)

SP-100 NASA

07 Related_Entities (12)

NASA MSFC
organisation R&D Foundation
TAE Technologies
organisation Gray Track (Propulsion)
James L. Tuck
person R&D Foundation
W.T. Armstrong
person R&D Foundation
R.K. Linford
person R&D Foundation
M. Tuszewski
person R&D Foundation
Dr. Thomas Intrator
person R&D Foundation
Dr. Glen A. Wurden
person R&D Foundation
Dr. Toru E. Weber
person R&D Foundation
Dr. Scott C. Hsu
person R&D Foundation
Dr. Hui Li
person R&D Foundation
Gabriel Ivan Font
person Black Track

08 Timeline_Mentions (10)

1952

Project Sherwood established

The U.S. AEC's classified controlled-fusion program begins at LANL and partner labs.

historical-context
1958

Project ORION Active

The Air Force and NASA engage in Project ORION, a classified effort to develop external nuclear pulse propulsion using fission-driven pulse units. The program involved prominent physicists and enginee

defense-programs
1960

Christofilos Astron experiment at LLNL

The Astron experiment established the field-reversed configuration geometry that prefigured modern FRC research.

historical-context
1970

LDRD Funding Established at LANL

The Laboratory-Directed Research and Development (LDRD) program is established to fund forefront science relevant to NNSA and DOE missions.

historical-context
1970s

Discovery of FRC Anomalous Stability

Experiments at LANL discover that Field-Reversed Configurations (FRCs) are significantly more stable than predicted by MHD theory.

fusion-physics
1972

Astron experiment funding cancelled at LLNL

16-year project ends without achieving field reversal. Compact torus concept disperses to spheromak and FRC research.

historical-context
1973

Christofilos Astron experiment cancelled at LLNL

17-year Astron project ends. Field reversal concept disperses to LANL (FRC) and LLNL/PPPL (spheromak).

historical-context
1973

Mitchell Institute of Noetic Sciences (1973): Apollo 14 astronaut (6th man on Moon) founds consciousness research org, later emails Podesta on ET disclosure

Apollo 14. 6th man on Moon. IONS 1973. Consciousness research. Podesta emails: 'Disclosure + ZPE.' 'Vatican's awareness of ETI.' 'Nonviolent ETI.' 'Battelle/Brookings/RAND secrecy.' UN + ESA speeches.

uap-research
1975

Foundational FRC Research at LANL

Los Alamos National Laboratory establishes the scientific bedrock for Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC) physics through the FRX experiment series.

fusion-physics
1975

LANL Field-Reversed Experiment (FRX) Series

Foundational research at Los Alamos National Laboratory (FRX-A, B, C) masters the control of the n=2 rotational instability in FRCs using quadrupole magnetic fields.

fusion-physics
View Full Timeline →

09 FAQ

What is Kilopower / KRUSTY? ▾
A NASA/LANL/DOE program to develop small fission reactors (1-10 kWe) for space power. The KRUSTY prototype was successfully tested in March 2018 at the Nevada National Security Site.
Why does Kilopower / KRUSTY matter? ▾
First successful U.S. space reactor test since the 1960s SNAP programs. Validates technology for nuclear electric propulsion and lunar surface power.
How does Kilopower / KRUSTY relate to other concepts? ▾
Kilopower / KRUSTY is closely related to SP-100, NASA. These relationships are documented in the research glossary and cross-referenced with primary source documents.
When did Kilopower / KRUSTY appear in the research timeline? ▾
Kilopower / KRUSTY is referenced in 10 timeline events, including "Project Sherwood established" (1952). The timeline provides chronological context for the development and application of this concept.
Which entities are associated with Kilopower / KRUSTY? ▾
12 entities are associated with Kilopower / KRUSTY in the network graph, including NASA MSFC, TAE Technologies, James L. Tuck. Explore the network graph for full relationship mapping.
Is there a detailed dossier for Kilopower / KRUSTY? ▾
Yes, Kilopower / KRUSTY has a comprehensive intelligence dossier with deep dive analysis, source documents, and network connections. View the full dossier for complete intelligence assessment.

Quick_Facts

Category
Experiments
Aliases
Kilopower / KRUSTY, kilopower-krusty, KRUSTY, Kilopower Reactor Using Stirling Technology
Sources
0
Related Terms
2
Graph Entities
12
Timeline Events
10

Intelligence_Dossier

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kilopower-krusty
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