How Nuclear Waste will Power Exploration of the Moon — and Beyond
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A talk by Dr Ramy Mesalam* Radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTG) are under development in Europe as part of a European Space Agency (ESA) funded programme. Aimed at enabling or significantly enhancing challenging space science missions to solar system bodies and in deep space, this programme relies on the cost-effective production of americium-241 as the radiogenic heat source. Americium-241 is found in the minor actinidine (MA) of spent nuclear fuel known as nuclear waste from existing reactors. Americium-241 can therefore be sourced as an isotopically pure by-product of the civil nuclear industry. By the end of the decade, this technology could allow ESA to operate spacecraft that don’t rely on solar panels and can explore the Moon and far-off reaches of the Solar System without relying on equipment from international partners.
*Dr Ramy Mesalam is Programme Director for Spacecraft Engineering and the Deputy Head of the Mechanics of Materials Research Group at the University of Leicester. He received his PhD in material science from the University of Leicester in 2019 and his master’s in Aerospace Engineering in 2014 from the University of Manchester. Ramy has been a member of the space nuclear power team based at the University of Leicester for nearly a decade. The team currently leads the development of new power generation technologies, in the form of radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTG), for space exploration activities as part a European Space Agency (ESA) funded programme. To date Ramy is a technical lead for radioisotope power system design and development for the programme.
The meeting will be available online (Microsoft Teams) - Link available through Eventbrite
Booking through Eventbrite at bit.ly/EMMSEvent for online and in-person attendance. For those attending in person and by car details of registration plate number will be asked for - this is to facilitate entry into the Space Park through the ANPR barrier.
Student Evening - EMMS offer free student membership to the IOM3 to East Midlands students attending this meeting.
A short presentation on the IOM3 will be given by Sarah Boad, Membership Development Manager before the main talk.
6.30 for 7.00 pm start
All welcome including non-members
Light refreshments provided
Venue Information: Space Park Leicester (SPL) 92 Corporation Road Space City Leicester LE4 5SP United Kingdom
The SPL car park is accessed through the ANPR-controlled barrier at the entrance (as you drive in along Corporation Road) and is in front of the building. SPL is a secure building and access is through an intercom-controlled door – we have both accessible door and revolving door. You enter the building into the main atrium, where tea & coffee will be, the Conference Room is just to the right of the main atrium – all on ground level.
There is a large accessible door for users with mobility issues as well as blue badge parking, a hearing loop and hearing-impaired fire alarm pagers. If anyone requires the hearing loop and fire pagers please let us know in advance.
