Nuclear On-board: Prospects and Challenges of Outer Space Exploration with Nuclear Power Sources

Abstract

Since ancient times we have references to space/sky watching. After the Second World War, space exploration became the new frontier. The space-age began with the Soviet’s first satellite, Sputnik 1 launch in 1957. Many space agencies of the world, including NASA (USA) and ISRO (India), are working for inspiring space missions. Powering the spacecraft/object is a major concern in space exploration. Solar power is not adequate for deep space missions. Nuclear power sources (NPS) are the most suitable options for going beyond Moon and Mars. Paper examines the socio-economic-legal concerns of NPS along with technical challenges at the national/international level.