NASA is working with commercial companies to ensure there is sustainable power on the moon to power any future bases.
With renewed interest in space and colonization in the solar system, having reliable, sustainable power sources is a critical step. NASA is working with several companies to ensure they can meet any future power needs on the moon.
☀️ We're working with industry on solar arrays for @NASAArtemis missions on the Moon's surface. Five companies will design technologies that could provide a reliable, sustainable power source for habitats, rovers, and even construction systems: https://t.co/5sZNpvWlpb pic.twitter.com/6JILM3FNVG
— NASA (@NASA) March 23, 2021
Niki Werkheiser, director of technology maturation in NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD), told the Houston Chronicle how important the technology was to NASA’s efforts.
“We are thrilled with the proposals received and even more excited to see the designs that result from the base effort,” Werkheiser said. “Having reliable power sources on the Moon is key to almost anything we do on the surface. By working with five different companies to design these prototype systems, we are effectively mitigating the risk that is inherent to developing such cutting-edge technologies.”