Imagine a clean energy source that fits in a shipping container, powers a small town, and doesn’t need refueling for years. That’s exactly what a team of former SpaceX engineers is building—and it might just change how we use nuclear power on Earth.
Their startup, Radiant, is working on a portable nuclear microreactor. It’s lightweight, affordable, and designed to deliver power even in the most remote corners of the planet. This kind of energy tech was originally imagined for future Mars missions, but now it’s being adapted for real-world use right here on Earth.
A Reactor That Travels
The engineers behind Radiant used to work on energy systems for Mars colonies. While thinking about how to power future space settlements, they realized the same technology could help solve energy challenges on Earth—especially in places that are hard to reach with traditional infrastructure.
Their portable nuclear reactor is still in development, but the early details are promising:
- It can generate more than 1 megawatt of power—enough for about 1,000 homes.
- It can run for up to 8 years without needing a new fuel supply.
- It’s small and rugged enough to be moved by road, ship, or even air.
- That means it could bring reliable, clean power to places that currently depend on diesel generators—like Arctic villages, military bases, or disaster zones—where solar or wind just aren’t practical.
How It Works
Radiant’s microreactor is packed with smart design choices that make it safer and more efficient than traditional nuclear reactors.
Instead of using water to cool the system, it uses helium gas. This helps prevent corrosion and contamination.
It runs on a special kind of fuel that doesn’t melt down, even at very high temperatures.
The design has already earned two provisional patents—one for making it cheaper and easier to refuel, and another for improving how heat is transferred from the core.
The company is working with Idaho National Laboratory to test the technology and make sure it’s safe and ready for real-world use.
Clean Energy When and Where We Need It
One of the best things about Radiant’s microreactor is that it’s zero-emissions. It doesn’t produce greenhouse gases like burning fossil fuels. And because it runs for years without refueling, it doesn’t rely on constant deliveries of fuel—making it ideal for isolated or disaster-hit areas.
As Jess Gehin, a top nuclear scientist at Idaho National Lab, put it: in places where diesel is impractical and solar or wind just won’t cut it, nuclear microreactors like this might be the best option.
If everything goes well with testing, we could soon see portable nuclear reactors rolling out to provide clean, steady power to communities that need it most. It’s a big step forward for both the future of nuclear energy—and for the future of energy access.
Source:
https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/nuclear-power-is-appropri…
https://www.powermag.com/former-spacex-engineers-tout-new-microreactor/
https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/seaborg-producing-thousan…
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/09/22/2097339/0/en/Form…
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