Miami-based City Labs launches first commercial nuclear-powered satellite
Florida-based City Labs successfully launched the BOHR satellite on Tuesday, marking the first commercial use of nuclear power for electricity generation in space. The launch occurred as part of a SpaceX rideshare mission.
Miami-based City Labs has successfully launched a small satellite named BOHR, which utilizes nuclear power for electricity generation in space. This launch marks a significant step for commercial nuclear technology in space exploration.
The BOHR (Betavoltaic Orbital High-Reliability) satellite, launched on Tuesday, represents a progression towards future power solutions for space. While not a full-scale nuclear reactor, the technology holds potential for applications such as powering permanent lunar bases and enabling more efficient deep-space propulsion.
The satellite was deployed into an orbit between 350 and 400 miles (nearly 600 km) altitude aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. City Labs specializes in micro-nuclear power technology for space applications.
This development by City Labs brings the practical application of nuclear power in space closer to reality, potentially enabling longer-duration and more energy-intensive space missions in the future.