# 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.

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- Section: Science
- Country: United States
- Published: 2026-10-21T19:51:52+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-21T19:51:52+00:00
- Event / data period: 2026-10-20
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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.

Methodology: Summarizes the contract roles, safety process and target timing in NASA’s mission update.

| date | label | description | status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-20 | NASA reported progress on contract work | Sierra Lobo will provide the closed-Brayton-cycle converter under an existing NASA contract. | occurred |

Sources: <https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/glenn/sr-1-freedom-advances-with-progress-on-nuclear-power-module/> · Download data: [JSON](https://newsverum.com/api/v1/articles/nasa-sr1-freedom-nuclear-power-module-contracts-2026/data/nasa-sr1-freedom-nuclear-power-module-contracts-event?lang=en&format=json) · [CSV](https://newsverum.com/api/v1/articles/nasa-sr1-freedom-nuclear-power-module-contracts-2026/data/nasa-sr1-freedom-nuclear-power-module-contracts-event?lang=en&format=csv)

## Sources

- [NASA Glenn Research Center](<https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/glenn/sr-1-freedom-advances-with-progress-on-nuclear-power-module/>) (Source checked: 2026-10-21; Published: 2026-10-20)

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