⚛️ Rolls-Royce unveils portable micro-reactor for continuous lunar outpost power

Plus: Ultraheavy elements detected in ancient stars, Anduril drone to deploy in 2024, Tesla shares 48-volt auto tech far and wide If we’re going to establish a sustained human presence on the Moon, it will require adaptable infrastructure that supports access to regions we've never explored. To meet this challenge, Rolls-Royce has revealed an ingenious concept — compact nuclear fission plants that can be sent from Earth to power lunar bases around the clock. Rather than relying on intermittent sunlight, their proposed micro-reactors could provide steady electricity even in the Moon’s deeply shadowed and underground areas. As leading space agencies press on toward expanded lunar exploration this decade and next, Rolls-Royce’s shippable reactor could prove vital in transforming the Moon’s extreme environments into something more like home for lunar explorers. Jump to today’s [Must Read]( to learn more about this 10-foot-long nuclear Space Micro-Reactor. Good morning. 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Must Read [⚛️ Rolls-Royce portable fission plant could support continuous lunar settlement]( UK engineering firm Rolls-Royce has revealed plans for a compact nuclear fission reactor to provide steady electricity for lunar bases regardless of sunlight access. The 10-foot-long (3 meters) rocket-transportable concept model would use nuclear technology rather than unreliable solar power for sustained lunar surface operations. Using a micro-reactor weighing under 5,000 pounds (2,267 kg), nuclear fission rather than sunlight would provide round-the-clock energy to recharge rovers, run life support systems, and enable scientific equipment across permanently shaded polar lunar regions. These areas would otherwise remain out-of-bounds for human outposts without nuclear assistance. Continue reading to see a mock-up of the reactor and learn more about the proposed timeline and potential impact of Rolls-Royce’s technology. [[Read More]( [Transportation]( [🆓 Tesla shares 48-volt tech with rival automakers]( Tesla just freely provided a guide to its 48-volt vehicle system to all major automaker CEOs. It includes the proprietary techniques that power Cybertruck’s advanced maneuverability. The open-source tech details enable faster charging, better performance and greater efficiency compared to conventional 12-volt platforms. While some critics worry Tesla is empowering rivals, its surprising generosity may accelerate industry-wide EV adoption. Find out how Tesla’s altruism could shape the electric future. [[Read More]( [Military]( [🪃 US Military to deploy Anduril’s reusable “Boomerang” combat drone]( Last week, [we reported on the launch]( of Anduril’s new feature-packed drone interceptor. Now, a senior executive at the firm has revealed that it will debut with US forces in 2024. Capable of identifying then eliminating enemy drones and missiles using onboard weapons, the innovative AI-guided craft can also return to base if it misses targets or the mission is aborted. Learn more about this highly-capable uncrewed device. [[Read More]( [Science]( [✨ Ancient stars forged ultra-heavy mystery elements]( New research reveals that some of the oldest stars in our galaxy may have forged extraordinarily heavy elements over 260 atomic mass units — far beyond anything found naturally on Earth. Scientists at North Carolina State University spotted clues that 42 stars in the Milky Way created exotic unstable atoms which quickly underwent fission decay. While this process is known to produce precious metals like gold and uranium, the discovery suggests early stars once forged even more extreme elements. Learn more about stellar matter’s unexpected diversity. 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