🚀 US Startups Plan Nuclear-Powered Spacecraft with 11,000-Pound Payload

Southern California-based startups Exlabs and Antares Nuclear have announced a partnership to develop a nuclear-powered spacecraft aimed at enabling long-duration deep-space missions. The Science Exploration and Resource Vehicle (SERV) will carry over 11,000 pounds and be powered by Antares microreactors, offering consistent, high-output energy crucial for advanced propulsion. Antares recently opened a 128,000 sq ft facility in Torrance, CA, to support microreactor development. The first mission, targeting 2028 or 2029, aims to validate nuclear power in geostationary orbit (GEO), paving the way for future deep-space exploration. This move marks a significant step in bringing space nuclear technology from theory to practical use.

October 2026

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