Recycled nuclear waste to power space batteries for lunar rovers

Zeno Power, a Washington-based company, is developing advanced space nuclear batteries powered by americium-241 (Am-241), a long-lived isotope derived from recycled nuclear waste. These radioisotope power systems (RPS) are intended to provide reliable, long-duration power for NASA’s lunar rovers, landers, and infrastructure, particularly enabling operations during the lunar night and in permanently shadowed regions—critical capabilities for the Artemis program and Moon to Mars initiatives. To secure a steady supply of Am-241, Zeno Power has entered a strategic agreement with Orano, a leading nuclear fuel recycling company, which will supply the isotope from its La Hague recycling facility in France. This collaboration marks a significant shift from the traditional use of plutonium-238 (Pu-238) in space RPS, addressing Pu-238’s limited availability by introducing Am-241 as a sustainable and complementary fuel source. Am-241’s long half-life of over 430 years allows power systems to operate