Regolith heating and hydrolox fuel production via energy from a nuclear powered brayton cycle

Abstract

A system powered by a nuclear reactor to heat regolith, extract water from the regolith, perform electrolysis on the water to produce hydrogen and oxygen, and liquify the hydrogen and oxygen to produce fuel is presented. For example, among other possible celestial bodies, the regolith may be lunar regolith and the system may operate on the Moon to perform these activities on the Moon. The system may operate in a permanent shadow region of the Moon, such as at the bottom of a crater, where water-ice is present. In such regions, solar energy may not be available and thus a nuclear reactor provides a benefit in that it operates independently of solar illumination. Another benefit is that the primary loop of a nuclear reactor carries heat that may be used to heat regolith.