Nuclear battery startup

n May 14, Zeno Power, a startup working on nuclear batteries for harsh conditions, announced having raised $50 million in a Series B financing round towards supporting space and underwater energy systems. This Series-B round was co-led by Hanaco Ventures and included participation from other space and defense-related investors, such as Seraphim, Balerion Space Ventures, and others. Zeno Power, with bases in Seattle and Washington, D.C., intends to use this money for a further build-out of its workforce and manufacturing capacity toward the ultimate goal of its first commercial nuclear battery shipment by 2027.

Zeno's hallmark technology is a radioisotope power system (RPS), in which heat from radioactive decay is converted to electricity. Leveraging this technology, NASA probes deep into space, and Zeno is one of merely a handful of private enterprises seeking to revive it for military and commercial endeavors. Tyler Bernstein, the CEO, remarking on energy in remote environments, said: "The ocean floor, for instance, as well as the lunar surface, are now areas of critical importance to global security and economic development."

Zeno is targeting powering unmanned systems where traditional energy systems do not suffice, such as deep underwater, during Arctic winters, and through the long lunar night. The company has also amassed over $60 million in contracts from the U.S. Department of Defense and NASA for projects involving satellites, underwater infrastructure, and lunar landers. One among the noteworthy projects.

Reference

Sandra Erwin Nuclear battery startup Zeno Power raises $50 million to expand in space and at sea. Spacenews.com. Available at- https://spacenews.com/nuclear-battery-startup-zeno-power-raises-50-million-to-expand-in-space-and-at-sea/

(Assessed: 19th May 2025)