Torrance’s growing aerospace and defense cluster just added another major federal win.

Antares announced September 11 that it has been selected for a $161 million Strategic Breakthrough award from the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration.

The Torrance-based company is developing compact nuclear fission reactors intended for defense and space applications. Under the new program, Antares will conduct a ground demonstration of its R1-S reactor, integrate the system with a spacecraft and work toward flight certification.

The company also plans to test its Mark-1 electricity-producing reactor in 2027, building on an earlier milestone this year when its Mark-0 microreactor achieved initial criticality at Idaho National Laboratory.

Antares says nuclear power could give future spacecraft far greater electrical capacity and operational flexibility than current power systems, supporting heavier computing loads, advanced sensors and other high-demand technologies.

The company operates facilities in Torrance, Idaho Falls and South Carolina and says the new award is the largest current federal defense award for space nuclear power.

Article Link