If Europe is not to be left behind in the development of nuclear power systems for space it must find “sustained commitment and substantial investment over at least two decades”, a European Nuclear Society position paper says.

The paper says Europe has been dependent on the US for much of its space exploration activities.

It says the US, Russia, and China are all engaged in the development of nuclear technologies for applications in space and if Europe wants to keep its place as a potential partner in space exploration in the coming decades, it will need to take steps to develop its nuclear space capabilities.