A team of researchersÌýfrom NASA and Los Alamos National LaboratoryÌýhave demonstrated a new reactor conceptÌýthat combines a Stirling engine with modern heat pipe cooling technologyÌýto provideÌýa powerÌýsource for future space missions.
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NASA engineers are actively investigating nuclear fission as a possible source of energy for a lunar outpost and the agency has signed contracts for the first stages of the development of a demonstration system.