Deep Space Energy (DSE), a Latvian startup aiming to transform the European space industry, has attracted attention by securing approximately $1.2 million (approximately KRW 1.728 billion) in pre-seed funding. With this investment, the company plans to fully apply its next-generation power generation technology, which converts radioisotopes derived from radioactive waste into electrical energy, to the space and defense industries.
This round of funding included approximately €460,000 (approximately 700 million won) from angel investors including Outlast Fund and Nano Avionics co-founder Linas Sargautis. The remaining €580,000 (approximately 870 million won) came from public funding from the European Space Agency (ESA), NATO's DIANA program, and the Latvian government.
DSE claims to have developed a technology that produces the same output as conventional thermoelectric generators using only one-fifth the amount of radioactive fuel. This method of converting radioisotope decay heat into electricity is gaining attention as a key energy alternative for satellites and reconnaissance equipment, reducing their reliance on solar power. DSE CEO Mikhail Szczepanskis explained, "The technology has already been verified in laboratories, and it can be applied as a power backup for multi-unit satellites in geostationary and elliptical orbits at various altitudes, increasing its utility in defense reconnaissance."
But their ultimate goal lies even further: powering the moon. On the lunar surface, where temperatures can drop to minus 150 degrees Celsius and night lasts approximately 354 hours, solar power alone is insufficient for a rover to survive. DSE possesses the technology to produce 50 watts of power using 2 kg of americium-241 fuel, while weighing significantly less than existing systems. Currently, annual production of this radioisotope is limited to a few kg, but by the mid-2030s, production capacity is projected to increase to up to 10 kg per year.
According to DSE, with the cost of transporting just one kilogram of lunar cargo reaching up to €1 million (approximately 1.5 billion won), extending the lifespan of exploration equipment leads to significant cost savings. Szczepanskis emphasized that this technology could significantly improve the economic viability of lunar exploration missions that require long-term day-night cycles, potentially accelerating the commercialization of lunar exploration by up to five years.
"Space energy technology, which has been stagnant for decades, is finally reaching a turning point," said Ezita Polanska, a partner at Outlast Fund. "Deep space energy will play a key role in building the infrastructure for the next-generation space power grid."
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