NASA advances power-conversion work for Mars-bound SR-1 Freedom
NASA said Sierra Lobo will provide the power-conversion system for the nuclear power module of Space Reactor-1 Freedom. The closed Brayton cycle system will convert heat from the fission reactor into electricity for the spacecraft’s systems and electric propulsion.
Event / data period: 2026-10-20
Published: · Updated:
Idaho National Laboratory is developing the reactor. NASA says it will remain inactive until the spacecraft leaves Earth orbit and that safety reviews will continue. The mission, targeted for late 2028, is to carry three Mars helicopters evolved from Ingenuity; no exact launch date was announced.
Data
SR-1 Freedom power module
Sierra Lobo will provide power conversion; reactor development and spacecraft safety reviews continue.
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NASA reported progress on contract work
Sierra Lobo will provide the closed-Brayton-cycle converter under an existing NASA contract.
Methodology
Summarizes the contract roles, safety process and target timing in NASA’s mission update.
Updated:
Subjects and places
Subject proposals
- ElectricitySuggested
- Subject suggested from the title or summary: electricitywww.nasa.gov ↗
- Nuclear powerSuggested
- Subject suggested from the title or summary: nuclear powerwww.nasa.gov ↗
- Science and technologySuggested
- Preserved editorial category/topic; broad candidate onlywww.nasa.gov ↗
Geographic references
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- United States · Place role: Coverage · Place type: Country or area · Location precision: RegionalEvidence
- Explicit preserved editorial country/region; no city or national centroid inferredwww.nasa.gov ↗