The UK Space Agency (UKSA) has granted around £3 million in funding to Rolls-Royce for research on nuclear power technology.

The luxury carmaker’s Micro-Reactor programme is aimed at developing a nuclear power source which could support a future moon base for astronauts and researchers.

All space missions depend on a power source, to support systems for communications, life-support and science experiments, the space agency said, adding that nuclear power has the potential to “dramatically increase” the duration of future lunar missions and their scientific value.

Following previous funding of £249,000 for the study, the new funding will lead to a demonstration of a lunar nuclear reactor.

Rolls-Royce is planning to have a reactor developed and ready to send to the moon by 2029.

Commenting on the new funding, Abi Clayton, director of future programmes at Rolls-Royce, said: “This funding will bring us further down the road in making the Micro-Reactor a reality, with the technology bringing immense benefits for both space and earth.”

George Freeman, minister of state at the department of science, innovation and technology described space exploration as the “ultimate laboratory” for many of the technologies we need on earth.

“Partnerships like this, between British industry, the UK Space Agency and government are helping to create jobs across our £16 billion SpaceTech sector and help ensure the UK continues to be a major force in frontier science,” he said.

The UK government recently secured around £2 billion in funding for other space initiatives at the European Space Agency council of ministers meeting in Paris.

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