US Space Nuclear Programs Hit HALEU Fuel Crunch as 2028 Reactor Plans Face Workforce Gaps
Updated
Updated · Zamin · Aug 19
US Space Nuclear Programs Hit HALEU Fuel Crunch as 2028 Reactor Plans Face Workforce Gaps
3 articles · Updated · Zamin · Aug 19
Summary
NASA’s SR-1 and other US space nuclear projects are running into two immediate bottlenecks: scarce HALEU fuel and too few engineers who can work across both nuclear and space systems.
DOE remains the only domestic HALEU supplier, and rising demand from NASA, Radiant, small modular reactors and the Army’s Janus microreactor program is tightening competition for limited allocations.
SR-1 is still aimed at a launch by the end of 2028, while Lunar Reactor 1 is being developed for Moon operations and long-duration power needs for future bases.
Industry officials also warned that funding could weaken under a new US administration; they urged earlier work on SR-2 and multiyear congressional backing to avoid cancellations.