Inside Idaho National Laboratory, the technology driving space missions remains hidden from view, often developed in quiet labs and under standard lighting. By Friday, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman will step into these spaces to see firsthand the tools powering some of the most ambitious ventures humanity has launched into the cosmos. These aren't traditional spacecraft but advanced power systems, from generators to compact reactors, designed to operate in the harshest conditions of outer space.
A heritage of space power and future projects
The lab has provided energy solutions for Mars missions, including the Curiosity and Perseverance rovers. The Dragonfly mission will rely on INL’s heater units to endure the icy temperatures of Saturn's moon, Titan. In 2028, the Rosalind Franklin mission will also use INL’s technology to deploy a Mars lander and rover. That same year, a nuclear-powered spacecraft will test electric propulsion during a mission to Mars, including deploying small robotic helicopters.
Lunar ambitions and reactor innovation
While INL is developing systems for deep space, it's also working to support operations on the moon. By 2030, a nuclear fission reactor is set to arrive on the lunar surface as part of NASA’s larger vision for a permanent moon base.
According to Nuclear Reactor Technology Division Director Justin Coleman, the need for reactors will grow. “They currently have enough power for the early stages. They don’t require a reactor yet. But that’s why NASA is working toward one that will be launch-ready by 2030. It will entirely change how power is generated on the moon.”
Crafting compact and lightweight reactors
INL’s challenge goes beyond creating power—it requires systems small and lightweight enough to be transported over long distances. As Coleman explained, reactors must be compact enough to fit in a C-17 cargo plane or to be launched on rockets. These design choices are vital for lunar habitats and deep-space missions alike.
With INL and NASA advancing nuclear technology, the mission remains consistent: to supply energy where sunlight fades. From the Martian night to the distant reaches of Titan and the moon’s surface, these silent yet powerful generators are built under the open skies of Idaho.