Science

NASA and partners advance SR-1 Freedom nuclear spacecraft toward 2028 launch

NASA News reports that Steve Sinacore said key contract actions reduce technical risk for the SR-1 Freedom mission, which targets a late 2028 launch.

Updated Oct 21, 2026 · 10:23 UTC2 reports

The short version

NASA News reports that program director Steve Sinacore said key contract actions reduce technical risk for SR-1 Freedom.[NASA News]
SR-1 Freedom would be the first spacecraft to demonstrate fission power beyond Earth's orbit, carrying SkyFall to Mars.[NASA News]
Sierra Lobo Inc. will supply the power conversion system, and Idaho National Laboratory is designing the fission reactor.[NASA News]
The reactor stays inactive until the spacecraft leaves Earth orbit, and the late 2028 launch remains a target.[NASA News]

SR-1 Freedom would be the first spacecraft to demonstrate fission power beyond Earth's orbit, traveling to Mars.[NASA News]
Sierra Lobo Inc. will provide the closed Brayton cycle power conversion system for the nuclear power module.[NASA News]
The Sierra Lobo work will be conducted under Space Flight Systems Development and Operations Contract III, awarded in 2024.[NASA News]
Idaho National Laboratory, part of the Department of Energy, is designing and developing the fission reactor that integrates with the power conversion system.[NASA News]
The nuclear reactor portion of SR-1 Freedom will remain inactive until the spacecraft leaves Earth orbit.[NASA News]
SR-1 Freedom is scheduled to launch in late 2028 to deliver the SkyFall science mission, which consists of three Mars helicopters.[NASA News]

The late 2028 launch is a targeted date rather than a confirmed one.[NASA News]
All details come from a single publisher, NASA News, and have not been independently confirmed by other outlets.[NASA News]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.