[1G11-14] Space Nuclear Utilization

3:35 PM - 3:50 PM JST(6:35 AM - 6:50 AM UTC)

[1G11] Regulatory status and issues in space nuclear energy(1)R&D and regulatory status of SMR and micro reactors for terrestrial applications

*Shintaro Yagi¹, Kota kawai¹, Fumiya Sato¹, Daiki Tominaga¹ (1. MRI)

Keywords:

space nuclear energy,micro reactor,regulatory,licensing,Transportation

In recent years, R&D of new reactors such as SMRs have been active internationally due to their diverse application values. In particular, micro reactors are expected to be utilized as power sources for space applications, and NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy are conducting R&D projects on micro reactors as nuclear energy system on the Moon. In this study, as a preliminary step to examine the conditions for use in space, we investigated and summarized the design and transportation requirements for micro reactors for terrestrial applications based on the trends of new reactors development and licensing trends in the U.S. One notable development in this study, the U.S. has organized technology inclusive licensing process, 10 CFR Part 53 because each new reactor has different safety function. In addition, regarding the terrestrial transportation of micro reactors, the development and licensing of a package with fuel loading and the licensing of micro reactors as a transportation package are under examination. Based on these trends, we extracted the issues that could be considered for space nuclear power.