Kratos Defense & Security Solutions has been awarded a $33.6 million contract to support NASA’s Space Reactor-1 (SR-1) Freedom mission. The award was announced ahead of the company’s third-quarter earnings report and drew investor attention. Kratos will work as a subcontractor to Sierra Lobo, Inc. under the NASA SpaceDOC III contract.
Kratos will design and build the spacecraft’s power conversion system. The system will convert heat from the onboard reactor into electricity for propulsion and other spacecraft operations.
SR-1 Freedom is the first interplanetary vehicle powered by a nuclear fission reactor. The mission is scheduled to launch in 2028 and travel to Mars to demonstrate nuclear electric propulsion.