Shares of Nano Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:NNE) experienced an upward movement on Thursday in response to the company's unveiling of a new strategic initiative geared toward expanding its presence in space power technology applications. Nano Nuclear is actively pursuing collaboration opportunities by soliciting expertise from external parties to progress the development of its space fission power program.
The company has taken a formal step by issuing a Request for Information (RFI), titled "Nano Nuclear Energy NASA Surface Fission Power Partnership Capabilities," aimed at identifying potential collaborators who possess relevant experience in the domains of technology development, systems integration, and operational support related to surface fission power systems. This RFI specifically references the company's LOKI micro modular reactor (MMR), a compact fission power source intended for extraterrestrial deployment.
In outlining the broader context for this initiative, Nano Nuclear noted that the United States is intensifying its space exploration efforts, extending beyond low Earth orbit to include planned missions to the Moon and ultimately Mars. Reliable and scalable power generation is considered a crucial factor for enabling long-duration missions, supporting permanent infrastructure build-out, and achieving exploration architectures capable of sustained activity.
These developments coincide with a 2025 executive order that establishes a sustained human and robotic lunar presence by 2028, with the assembly of early outpost components expected by 2030. In this context, NASA and its U.S. partners are prioritizing power generation technologies that operate independently of intermittent energy sources, thereby reducing operational risks and facilitating ongoing surface operations. Nuclear fission systems, recognized for their scalability and reliability, represent a promising approach to meeting these criteria.
Jay Yu, the founder and chairman of Nano Nuclear Energy, emphasized that this RFI serves to position the company to contribute toward national objectives oriented around space exploration beyond Earth orbit. He indicated that the responses obtained will inform subsequent phases involved in integrating and maturing the LOKI microreactor as part of surface power solutions.
From a technical standpoint, the LOKI MMR under development by Nano Nuclear Space is designed to overcome the unique challenges posed by extraterrestrial environments. These challenges include enduring the extended lunar night, coping with Martian winter conditions, enabling autonomous operations, and maintaining passive safety features. The system's electrical output capacity targets a range between 300 kilowatts and one megawatt, with scalability options extending as low as 100 kilowatts to accommodate various mission needs.
The reactor design incorporates helium and supercritical carbon dioxide as coolants, and its fuel type leverages TRISO particles enriched with low-enriched uranium (LEU) or high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) variants. The engineered weight of the system aims to remain below 15 metric tons, with fuel longevity designed to enable continuous operation for up to 10 years without the need for refueling. These attributes are intended to support reliable and uninterrupted power generation for demanding missions on the surfaces of the Moon or Mars.
Nano Nuclear anticipates that insights gathered from the RFI will guide the direction of its outreach to potential commercial, governmental, and international partners who could participate in advancing surface fission power technologies. This planned coordination aligns with the objectives of NASA and the Department of Energy related to space exploration infrastructure development.
Regarding market performance, Nano Nuclear Energy's stock closed higher on Thursday, with shares increasing by 2.08 percent to reach $35.08, as reported by Benzinga Pro at the time of publication.
Key Points
- Nano Nuclear Energy issued a Request for Information to engage external experts in developing space fission power systems centered on its LOKI micro modular reactor.
- The initiative supports U.S. government objectives to establish a sustainable lunar presence by 2028 and outpost components by 2030, addressing mission-critical power reliability.
- The LOKI reactor features advanced design elements such as helium and supercritical CO₂ coolants, TRISO fuel with LEU or HALEU enrichment, and aims for a compact, lightweight form factor enabling up to a decade of operation without refueling.
- Responses to the RFI will inform Nano Nuclear's strategy for engaging commercial, government, and international partners to support space power system development.
Risks and Uncertainties
- The advancement of Nano Nuclear's space fission power technology is contingent on securing suitable partners with relevant expertise through the RFI process.
- The technical and operational challenges associated with deploying and sustaining nuclear fission reactors in extraterrestrial environments remain significant and may affect development timelines.
- Regulatory and governmental policy shifts could potentially influence the trajectory and funding availability for space nuclear power initiatives.
- Market responses and investor sentiment may fluctuate based on the company's progress in reactor integration, maturation, and eventual commercial deployment stages.