RADIOISOTOPE HEATER UNITS
The entX RHU is a mass-effective enabler for long-term lunar and deep space missions providing heat necessary for long-term payload survival, with improved safety and easier licensing pathway compared to legacy alternatives.
Final RHU Prototype
Benefits
Benefits of RHU
NASA has identified continuous presence and extended operations as top priority objectives and technology gaps in its Moon to Mars architecture:
NASA Moon to Mars Objective LI-8:
“Demonstrate technologies supporting cislunar surface support systems needed for continuous human and robotic presence.”
NASA Technology Gap ESDMD 0301 (Ranked in the 1st priority category):
“Systems to Survive and Operate through Extended Periods of Lunar Shadow.”
01
Cost-Effective Long-Term Lunar Missions
The entX RHU is up to 10x lighter than equivalent integrated battery systems, reducing cost of implementation in a medium-to-long term lunar mission.
02
Radioisotope Fuel on Demand
The entX RHU utilises a fuel that can be produced on demand in nuclear reactors. entX has produced multiple radioisotope fuel pellets and validated their heat and dose outputs.
03
Validated Technology
The entX RHU has been designed into a Demonstrator System, tested in qualification environments for structural integrity, vibration and thermal vacuum cycling. A flight heritage launch of the Demonstrator System is planned for Q4 2026 from Spaceport America, New Mexico.
04
Scalable Technology
The entX RHU was designed to be adapted to customer-specific requirements for heat output and interface integration, while carrying over its underlying safety and modularity features to different mission types. entX has performed integration studies for system ranging from small lunar surface nodes to entire subsystems of large landers.
05
Built-in Safety and “Do-No-Harm” philosophy
The entX RHU utilises a beta-decaying radioisotope which is safer compared to older Radioisotope Power Systems. Instead of creating legacy radioactive waste for several decades, the entX RHU decays to background radiation levels shortly after the designed end-of-mission.
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OTher Projects
Medical Isotopes
Isomedica
Producing Australian medical isotopes to create reliable and affordable treatments.