Zeno Power
Develops radioisotope power systems that convert heat from decaying isotopes into years of reliable electricity for lunar surface and seabed missions
Zeno Power builds commercial radioisotope power systems (RPSs) that harness the heat from decaying radioisotopes to generate years of continuous, maintenance-free electricity. The company's core product is a radioisotope Stirling generator available in configurations from one to hundreds of watts. Zeno uses strontium-90 recycled from legacy Department of Energy stockpiles for terrestrial and maritime applications, and americium-241 sourced through a strategic agreement with Orano for space missions. Under a NASA Tipping Point award, the company is developing an Am-241 fueled generator to power lunar surface operations through the two-week lunar night, extending mission durations from weeks to years. For the U.S. Navy, Zeno is building an Sr-90 fueled system under the DEPTHS program to enable persistent seabed sensor networks and subsea telecommunications infrastructure. The company has demonstrated a strontium-90 heat source at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and partnered with Westinghouse to fabricate nuclear hardware for its first production units. Founded in 2018 at Vanderbilt University, Zeno Power is headquartered in Washington, D.C. with engineering and lab facilities in Seattle.
Designs and operates lunar landers, data relay satellites, and infrastructure services to commercialize access to the Moon
Develops cryogenic propellant management systems for in-space storage, transfer, and refueling, and liquid hydrogen infrastructure for terrestrial energy applications
Provides commercial Wi-Fi access points, space communicators, and persistent connectivity services for spacecraft, space stations, and lunar missions