US-based City Labs has announced the successful launch of BOHR, the world’s first commercial satellite equipped with a nuclear-powered energy system. The spacecraft was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket during the Transporter-17 mission, supported by the US Department of Defense.
At the heart of the project is the NanoTritium power system, which uses tritium, a radioactive isotope of hydrogen. Unlike traditional radioisotope generators that convert heat into electricity, the new technology directly transforms beta particles produced during radioactive decay into electrical power using semiconductor materials.
Although BOHR carries a nuclear energy source, it also uses conventional solar panels to supplement its power supply. Engineers say the hybrid approach increases reliability and extends the satellite’s operational capabilities during long-duration missions.
Researchers believe similar systems could play an important role in future missions to the Moon, Mars and deep space, where sunlight is weak or unavailable for extended periods.
City Labs also noted that BOHR is the first spacecraft using this type of energy technology to receive launch approval under the United States’ strict licensing process for nuclear space missions.
