Part 1 of 2 Parts
So far, the main purpose of visiting moons, planets and asteroids in the solar system has been scientific research. However, the primary interest of commercial investors in space industries is the use of space as a source of valuable materials, both natural and manufactured, that cannot be created on Earth.
Current space transportation is based on vertically launched expendable rockets. However, reusable rocket-propelled “spaceplanes” for horizontal take-off offer significant savings as well as fundamental improvements in flexibility and safety. Spaceplanes would be able to operate similar to airplanes from airports. They would not require a launch pad with complex and expensive infrastructure.
Radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) have been the power plants of interplanetary spacecraft for fifty years. However, one major problem is that they are relatively heavy. Modern RTGs may weigh hundreds of pounds. They are fine for large-scale missions, but they are prohibitively big for small scale missions to the outer planets.
The Government of Niger has confirmed its “full support” for Global Atomic Corporation’s (GAC) Dasa uranium project, according to GAC. The project intends to make its first yellowcake deliveries to utilities in 2025. The project will not be influenced by a recent U.S. decision to put a hold on U.S. Development Bank financing following the coup that took place in Niger earlier this year.
Sheffield Forgemasters, X-energy and Cavendish Nuclear have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperating to explore opportunities around the deployment of fleet of Xe-100 high temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGRs) in the U.K.
An agreement between Orano and Erdenes Mongol LLC sets out the framework for an investment agreement that will lay the foundation for a long-term relationship for the development and industrial operations of the Zuuvch-Ovoo uranium project in south-western Mongolia. The investment agreement is expected to be signed by the end of the year.