Miami-based company City Labs is preparing to launch the world’s first commercial satellite powered by a nuclear power system. The spacecraft, named BOHR (Betavoltaic Orbital High-Reliability), secured a spot as part of SpaceX’s joint Transporter-17 rideshare mission, which is designed to deliver numerous small satellites into orbit. The launch of the SpaceX Transporter-17 mission was scheduled for July 7 at 10:10 AM Moscow time. This flight will mark a historic event, as BOHR is set to become the first nuclear-powered CubeSat in history to enter Earth’s orbit.

The satellite’s creators believe that nuclear energy can solve one of modern astronautics’ greatest challenges. Solar panels become useless when a spacecraft passes into Earth’s shadow, ends up in permanently shadowed regions of the Moon, or travels into deep space where sunlight is insufficient for stable operation. Standard batteries can temporarily offset energy shortages, but their lifespan is limited, and they eventually degrade. City Labs believes compact nuclear power sources can provide spacecraft with continuous energy regardless of lighting conditions.

“This is a historic step for commercial nuclear power in space. BOHR demonstrates that safe, compact, and regulatory-approved nuclear power systems are ready for routine commercial use,” stated Peter Cabauy, CEO of City Labs.

According to Cabauy, this new technology will enable the creation of spacecraft capable of operating continuously without the constraints associated with sunlight or battery life limits. This opens up opportunities for long-duration deep-space missions, operations on the lunar surface, and autonomous research systems.

At the core of the BOHR satellite is City Labs’ patented NanoTritium™ technology, which utilizes the betavoltaic principle to generate electricity. Unlike nuclear reactors, the system does not rely on atomic fission; instead, it generates electricity through the natural beta decay of tritium.

Betavoltaic cells offer several key advantages for space missions. They contain no moving parts, require no liquid electrolytes, and pose no risk of fire or runaway thermal events. As it naturally decays, tritium gradually converts into helium-3—a stable, non-radioactive isotope. As a result, the technology operates at extremely low radiation levels and is suitable for standard commercial operations.

During the BOHR mission, the nuclear battery will power and validate the satellite’s primary payload, while a solar power system will handle the power needs for the remaining onboard systems.

Securing regulatory approval to launch a satellite with a nuclear energy source presented a unique challenge. Any space mission utilizing nuclear technologies undergoes rigorous safety reviews and must satisfy stringent regulatory requirements. BOHR became the first commercial space mission to successfully navigate the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) process to obtain approval for launching a nuclear payload.

This oversight system was established under the National Security Presidential Memorandum-20 (NSPM-20) framework. Kevin Mackinson, a specialist at City Labs, led the project’s safety analysis, while independent review was conducted by Sandia National Laboratories. The final FAA launch authorization for the payload was issued on September 30, 2025.

The project received support from the U.S. Department of Defense, NASA, and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). Its implementation coincides with a period of active development in lunar exploration programs and preparations for future deep-space expeditions.

The new technology could hold particular significance for NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon. Sources of power that can operate through extended lunar nights and in complete absence of sunlight are vital for such missions.

City Labs stated that the BOHR mission establishes a new class of spacecraft capable of providing continuous power to critical systems where traditional energy solutions fall short. Among these applications, the company highlights deep space, permanently shadowed regions of the Moon, and long-duration autonomous sensor networks.

If the launch proves successful, the BOHR satellite will serve as a crucial testbed for future nuclear-powered spacecraft. Such systems could find applications in both civilian scientific research and national security missions. The launch of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket carrying the new satellite is poised to usher in a new era in space power, where nuclear technologies can ensure longer and more reliable spacecraft operations beyond the limitations of solar power.