1,000°C MULE Microreactor Proposed to Power Lunar Bases

Researchers at the Technical University of Munich describe the MULE microreactor in an arXiv preprint: 2.3 m long, 0.78 m wide and 2.1 tonnes. It delivers about 1,000°C for regolith electrolysis, then 750°C for power generation and 150°C for habitat heating. A Serpent 2 simulation showed more than 10 years of fuel life.

• MULE reactor measures 2.3 m long, 0.78 m wide and weighs 2.1 tonnes
• Thermal cascade: 1,000°C for electrolysis, 750°C for turbine, 150°C for heating
• All-ceramic core with 37 TRISO fuel assemblies enriched to 93% U-235
• 10-year simulation used under 2% of uranium; control drums turned 5.34°