City Labs' BOHR (Betavoltaic Orbital High-Reliability) cubesat

WASHINGTON — A Florida startup has launched what it says is the first commercial demonstration of a nuclear-powered satellite technology, testing a power source that could allow future spacecraft and autonomous sensors to operate for years without relying exclusively on solar panels or conventional batteries.

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Sandra Erwin writes about military space programs, policy, technology and the industry that supports this sector. She has covered the military, the Pentagon, Congress and the defense industry for nearly two decades as editor of NDIA’s National Defense...