SpaceX launches Bohr, 1st commercially-built nuclear-powered satellite meeting FAA rules
Technology
SpaceX made history this week by launching BOHR, the world's first commercially built nuclear-powered satellite, from California.
This is a big step for space tech, and it's the first launch of its kind approved under the FAA's nuclear launch framework (established in 2019).
City Labs built BOHR with nanotritium
BOHR was created by City Labs in Florida and runs on NanoTritium, a tiny power source that uses tritium decay instead of sunlight.
While it mainly uses solar panels now, NanoTritium is perfect for dark places like lunar craters (think future Moon missions).
Funded by the US Department of Defense, BOHR could open doors for more advanced satellites in both space exploration and national security.