Florida Startup Tests First Commercial Nuclear Battery in Space

Satellites might soon explore the darkest corners of space thanks to a tiny nuclear battery no bigger than a cubesat.

City Labs, a Florida startup, launched its BOHR satellite on July 7 aboard a SpaceX rocket. The mission marks the first time a commercial company has tested nuclear-powered technology in orbit, opening doors for spacecraft to operate in places where solar panels can't reach.

The secret lies in betavoltaic batteries powered by tritium, a radioactive form of hydrogen. These tiny powerhouses convert radioactive decay directly into electricity, producing just microwatts of power but doing so continuously for years without any sunlight required.

The technology could transform how we explore space. Future missions could venture into permanently shadowed craters on the moon, dive into the outer solar system, or maintain sensor networks that need to run non-stop for years in harsh environments.

City Labs didn't go all-in on nuclear power just yet. The BOHR satellite still uses traditional solar panels to run its main systems, while the nuclear battery independently powers the test payload inside. Think of it as a proof of concept before the real revolution begins.

Getting approval wasn't easy. City Labs became the first commercial company to navigate new FAA regulations for launching radioactive materials into space. The company emphasizes its tritium systems operate at extremely low radiation levels and are engineered for safe handling and transport.

NASA and the Pentagon are paying attention. Both agencies have partially funded this demonstration through various contracts, signaling government interest in alternative power sources that could keep satellites operating longer in contested or remote environments.

The Ripple Effect

This breakthrough extends beyond just keeping satellites alive longer. City Labs plans to launch a tritium-powered heating unit in 2027 designed specifically for lunar missions. These heaters could protect equipment and scientific instruments from freezing during the moon's two-week nights or inside those permanently dark polar craters where water ice hides.

While NASA has relied on plutonium-powered systems for decades on deep space probes, commercial companies have largely avoided the field due to technical and regulatory challenges. City Labs is changing that calculus with a safer, more accessible alternative.

The implications reach Earth too. The same technology could power remote sensors, emergency beacons, or medical devices that need to run reliably for years without maintenance or battery changes.

Future lunar bases could use these systems to keep critical equipment warm and operational through the long, frigid nights. Deep space probes could venture farther than ever before, exploring distant worlds without worrying about losing power as they move away from the sun.

The BOHR mission represents years of private investment finally reaching orbit, transforming what was once exclusively government technology into a commercial tool anyone can use.

Space exploration just got a little brighter, even in the darkest places.