NASA Advances SR-1 Freedom Nuclear Power Module With Sierra Lobo Contract Actions

NASA and its partners have agreed to contract actions advancing the nuclear power module for Space Reactor-1 Freedom, the first fission-powered spacecraft destined to travel beyond Earth's orbit, with a launch planned for late 2028. The agency announced the progress during its "Ignition" event, according to Mirage News.

Sierra Lobo to Supply the Brayton Cycle System

Sierra Lobo Inc. will provide the nuclear power module's closed Brayton cycle power conversion system, which converts thermal energy from the fission reactor into electrical power for SR-1 Freedom's nuclear electric propulsion demonstration. The work falls under the Space Flight Systems Development and Operations Contract III, awarded in 2024, supporting spaceflight hardware design, development, testing and operations at NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland.

The power conversion system will be integrated with the fission reactor, which the Department of Energy's Idaho National Laboratory is designing and developing to complete the nuclear power module. Idaho National Laboratory received the cooling system for its MARVEL microreactor and plans to test it in December, according to Yahoo.

NASA and DOE apply interagency safety reviews, continuous oversight by a NASA chief safety officer, regulatory compliance and a safety design process focused on hazards, failure tolerance and nuclear safety. The reactor portion of SR-1 Freedom will remain inactive until the spacecraft leaves Earth orbit.

"These contract actions not only reduce technical risk and help us maintain momentum toward our 2028 launch, but they also strengthen collaboration across our partners," said Steve Sinacore, SR-1 Freedom program director.

NASA's Nuclear and Deep Space Programs

NASA is the U.S. civilian space agency operating human spaceflight systems, planetary rovers, space telescopes and a three-continent Deep Space Network, funded through congressional appropriations, according to akta.pro company records. The agency was founded in 1958 and is headquartered in Washington.

NASA's Artemis II crewed lunar flyby and Artemis III crewed lunar landing are targeted for 2027, with SpaceX Starship and Blue Origin Blue Moon as human landing systems, the same records show.

Earlier NASA Nuclear and Mars Work

In October 2026, NASA researchers tested a new blade design, roamx-0201, for future Mars helicopters using simulations and wind tunnel tests, according to Mirage News. The design could extend single-flight range from Ingenuity's 0.7 km to 18.7 km and improve stall behavior.

Also in October 2026, NASA released a video update on lunar rovers for its Moon Base, including VIPER's 2027 mission to the South Pole and crewed terrain vehicles from Astrolab and Lunar Outpost, according to NASA.

What Comes Next for SR-1 Freedom

SR-1 Freedom will deliver the SkyFall science mission, a team of three Mars helicopters evolved from the Ingenuity design, to collect scientific data, demonstrate exploration zones and identify potential water sources. The mission is intended to support next-generation fission-powered systems designed to keep NASA's Moon Base operating through periods of darkness and in locations where solar power alone is not sufficient.