Framatome is delighted to announce the signing of a contract to formalise the collaboration with the European Space Agency and partners, Perpetual Atomics and Amentum, for the industrialisation of sealed fuel sources to be used for radioisotope power systems for space exploration.
This contract brings a major contribution to lunar and deep space exploration by supporting the ENDURE (European Devices Using Radioisotope Energy) programme. One key feature of this programme is to provide Europe with a sovereign industrial production capability of radioisotope-based sealed fuel sources, to be used for radioisotope power systems (RPS).
RPS-based systems, a proven technology, provide continuous heating and power sources withstanding the harshest environments within deep space and lunar surface operations. ENDURE aims to focus on independent capability in manufacturing and launching radioisotope power systems from Europe using Americium 241 as the fuel source. Americium 241, a decay product from recycling of nuclear reactor fuels has the additional benefit of enabling deeper space exploration due to having a half-life of 432 years.
Today's announcement brings Framatome together with its key partners Perpetual Atomics, as the lead product designer along with Amentum, with its global space expertise and UK regulatory and licencing expertise. Framatome, an international leader in nuclear energy with over 65 years of industrial scale expertise covering the energy, space, defence and healthcare sectors. Together, our combined expertise brings unrivalled global knowledge and experience to push the frontier of science, engineering and technology to enable nuclear powered space programmes.
Paul K Richards, Framatome Ltd. Defence and Space Director said, “Framatome's contract with the European Space Agency strengthens international collaborations, provides the opportunity to develop capability, in terms of skills and the supply chain, in the UK and internationally on complex asset development. We're extremely privileged and proud to be part of creating this legacy that will transform the frontier of science and technology into industrial reality supporting 's programmes.”
Grégoire Lambert, Vice President for Framatome Space said, “Two years ago, Framatome launched Framatome Space to bring its expertise and industrial capacities to power the future of space exploration. The signature of this contract demonstrates the need for a key historical player. Our teams in the UK are committed to supporting the European Space Agency, together with our UK partners.”
Commenting for Perpetual Atomics, Professor Richard Ambrosi, Chief Scientific Officer, founder, and Director of Perpetual Atomics, said, “This is an important step outlining the ambition to build and launch radioisotope power technologies from Europe. Considering the significant americium inventory in the UK and in Europe, and the unparalleled maturity of our radioisotope systems, this partnership builds on the significant world-leading expertise that we have concentrated within Perpetual Atomics.”
Loren Jones, Amentum Senior Vice President, said: “Amentum's combination of deep technical knowledge and extensive programme and project management expertise will help to steer this important venture. Drawing on our experience of working on major nuclear sites, together with our significant role in the space industry, we will ensure that the RPS industrialisation scheme is fully compliant with all safety case and nuclear regulatory requirements. We are looking forward to assisting the European Space Agency to create an industrial framework to deliver world-leading sealed fuel sources to power the future of space exploration.”