UK's Harlette Capital seeks partners to develop lunar micro nuclear reactor

UK-based innovative company Harlette Capital has recently issued a Request for Information (RFI), seeking support from industry and research institutions for the development of a micro nuclear reactor for lunar missions. The company stated that the project aims to provide continuous power for long-term scientific research, communications, infrastructure construction, and future crewed exploration on the lunar surface.

Harlette Capital is previously better known for its luxury fashion brand Harlette. The company also operates a separate innovation business segment, which is positioning itself in space and energy assets and advancing a small modular reactor (SMR) project named "Alpha Moon".

According to the company, the RFI has been sent to multiple SMR developers, including Rolls-Royce SMR and Westinghouse, to understand current technical capabilities, subsequent R&D pathways, and potential collaboration opportunities. The company also plans to engage with institutions in fields such as nuclear safety engineering, hydrogen systems, advanced materials, radiation shielding, and lunar infrastructure.

Harlette and Harlette Capital founder Harlette DeFalaise stated that reliable, compact nuclear energy systems have the potential to become one of the foundational technologies supporting long-term human presence on the Moon. She said the company hopes that through this RFI, it can understand how advanced micro reactors and hydrogen technologies can serve future lunar infrastructure in a safe and responsible manner.

Globally, nuclear energy systems for space missions are receiving increasing attention. The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has recently been reported to be accelerating its lunar nuclear energy deployment plan, targeting relevant applications around 2030. The head of the Russian space agency also stated in 2024 that Russia and China are studying options to deliver and install nuclear power units on the Moon by 2035.

In the UK, Rolls-Royce has showcased a conceptual model of a space nuclear micro reactor. The project is part of a research program supported by the UK Space Agency, aiming to complete an initial demonstration of a UK lunar modular nuclear reactor.