Space & Nuclear, Together
These two industries are not necessarily a “natural fit”. The nuclear industry has typically been driven by economics and safety, resulting in very large, stationary, hardened structures comprised of concrete, alloy steels, and water. The space industry is driven by weight efficiency, performance, and safety, utilizing materials and designs that focus on surviving launch, then resisting degradation over the long-term in the harsh space environment.
X-energy’s workforce brings together these skill sets to develop designs that respect the design philosophies of nuclear neutronics and safety, while infusing concepts of strength-to-weight efficiency, launch loads survival, space radiation effects, high reliability, and astronaut safety consideration.
Nuclear Thermal Propulsion
empowering rockets
Chemical rockets top the list of the fastest objects ever made. But if we want to open up the solar system for human exploration, they’re not nearly fast enough.
Lunar Surface Power
empowering moonbases
Providing power for bases and missions on the moon. But just like solar power is only available half the time on Earth, long duration lunar missions must also contend with extended periods of weak or inaccessible sunlight.
Our family companies are commercializing the ISS & landing on the moon.
Our Founder
X-energy was founded by successful entrepreneur Kam Ghaffarian, whose other companies include Axiom Space, selected by NASA to utilize the available docking port on the ISS which will become the first commercial space station; and Intuitive Machines, which is building the next spacecraft that will land on the moon in 2021.
