Nuclear in Space, with Kate Kelly (BWXT)

This week on Pathfinder, we feature Kate Kelly, Director of Space and Emerging Programs at BWXT, an 8,000-person firm that specializes in delivering nuclear reactors and components for the Navy, commercial nuclear industry, and advanced technologies. Kate shares her journey into the nuclear and space industry, providing insights into the advancements and challenges faced by BWXT. With a background in chemical engineering, Kate has been with BWXT for over a decade, contributing to significant projects like small modular reactors and space nuclear propulsion systems.Our conversation with Kate covers the world of space nuclear technology and BWXT's role in it. We also discuss:Kate's unconventional path into the nuclear industry and BWXTThe significance of the DARPA Draco Phase 2 Award and its impact on space nuclear propulsionThe role of nuclear thermal propulsion in future explorationChallenges and milestones in developing nuclear technology for spaceRegulatory processes and safety considerations for nuclear systemsAnd much more... • Chapters •00:00 - Intro01:25 - How Kate ended up at BWXT and pursuing nuclear03:47 - Quick rundown on BWXT04:34 - What has made Kate stay at BWXT for her whole career?06:50 - Director of space and emerging programs08:02 - For All Mankind and how nuclear propulsion works11:29 - First spacecraft to use nuclear propulsion12:51 - Milestones14:33 - What does nuclear propulsion solve?16:25 - What kind of work is BWXT doing on the power side when it comes to space?19:46 - Possible scenarios for nuclear power solutions on Earth21:38 - Long-term value behind BWXT's tech23:19 - The size of Kate's division24:45 - How does regulation work for nuclear technologies in space?27:40 - State of nuclear today and how long until it becomes commercialized30:38 - BWXT post successful demonstration prediction32:03 - Safety and combatting public perception on nuclear34:54 - How BWXT tests their propulsion systems37:24 - Competitors38:57 - How does BWXT compete against faster and more agile startups?41:34 - Nuclear for space in 10 years43:16 - What Kate does with her free time • Show notes •BWXT’s website — https://www.bwxt.com/what-we-do/advanced-technologies/BWXT’s socials — https://twitter.com/BWXTMo's socials — https://twitter.com/itsmoislamPayload’s socials — https://twitter.com/payloadspace / https://www.linkedin.com/company/payloadspacePathfinder archive — Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@payloadspacePathfinder archive — Listen: https://pod.payloadspace.com/episodes • About us •Pathfinder is brought to you by Payload, a modern space media brand built from the ground up for a new age of space exploration and commercialization. We deliver need-to-know news and insights daily to 19,000+ commercial, civil, and military space leaders. Payload is read by decision-makers at every leading new space company, along with c-suite leaders at all of the aerospace & defense primes. We’re also read on Capitol Hill, in the Pentagon, and at space agencies around the world.Payload began as a weekly email sent to a few friends and coworkers. Today, we’re a team distributed across four time zones and two continents, publishing five media properties across multiple platforms:1) Payload, our flagship daily newsletter, sends M-F @ 9am Eastern2) Pathfinder publishes weekly on Tuesday mornings (pod.payloadspace.com)3) Polaris, our weekly policy briefing, publishes weekly on Tuesdays4) Payload Research, our weekly research and analysis piece,  comes out on WednesdaysYou can sign up for all of our publications here: https://payloadspace.com/subscribe/