DOE RFI probes barriers to space reactor production

The Department of Energy is asking for industry input on the United States' readiness to produce "up to four space reactors within five years," according to a request for information that opened on Tuesday.

With a quick turnaround-the deadline for responses is May 5-the RFI asks for an assessment of gaps or challenges related to reactor design, long-lead-time components, and fuel allocation or production.

The request is technology-inclusive, welcoming information related to any electrical and core thermal power, fuel type, heat transport system, and space mission profile.

What to include: The RFI asks submitters to provide information on the following:

• Status of space nuclear reactor-related products and designs.
• Parameter envelope of products.
• Challenges that could constrain the ability to build the product at the rate required to produce four units in five years, including manufacturing capacity, supply chain, workforce, facilities and infrastructure, and other considerations.
• Issues that cannot be resolved through additional funding alone.
• Critical items that have one or fewer qualified domestic suppliers.
• Uniqueness of a product on the U.S. market.
• Recommendations of near- and long-term actions to address named challenges.

The assessment is being conducted by an independent assessment team at Idaho National Laboratory on behalf of the DOE.

Background: There has been a flurry of activity around nuclear applications in space following the December 2025 Executive Order 14369, "Ensuring American Space Superiority." In March, NASA announced plans for a nuclear-powered rocket and fission surface power for a lunar base. Last week, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy outlined the expectations of NASA, the DOE, and the Department of Defense's involvement in this initiative, including an instruction to leverage private industry resources.