Developing a launch approval process for nuclear fission reactors: Lessons learned from risk mitigation and approval processes in other sectors

Nuclear fission power and propulsion capabilities currently under development (e.g., NASA’s Kilopower technology demonstration project) could enable new science and human exploration missions in the United States. While fission systems have been developed in the past, there are no clear policies related to risk assessment and launch approval processes for future missions that incorporate nuclear fission power systems (FPS), and the assumption is that the processes used for radioisotope systems (RPS) can be extended to fission systems. This may not be appropriate given the technological differences between RPS and FPS. In addition to lessons learned in the previous 50 years for the launch approval process for RPS systems, practices such as bounding analyses and certifying reactor designs could be used to implement current processes outlined in PD/NSC-25 and other agency-level regulations. To identify potential launch approval approaches for fission power systems, current risk mitigation and approval processes were examined for other domains such as naval nuclear propulsion reactors, terrestrial civilian nuclear power plants, and other hazardous NASA payloads. Each process was investigated to understand the technology and risk; how the current approval process is defined and implemented; authorities (e.g. enabling legislation or executive action); resources required for the process, if available; and lessons that could be applicable to FPS.