A Technology Risk-Informed Regulatory Regime for Commercial Space Nuclear Payload Launches.

The U.S. is experiencing rapid growth in commercial launch capabilities, making nuclear systems essential for exploration, security, and economic goals, including radioisotope power systems and fission or fusion propulsion technologies. These nuclear systems present unique risks that current international and domestic legal frameworks do not adequately address. The article proposes modernized regulatory approaches derived from commercial space, civil nuclear, and maritime liability models to ensure safe and scalable deployment of advanced space nuclear technologies. Amid rapid expansion of U.S. commercial launch capabilities and investment, nuclear systems for space power and propulsion are becoming increasingly central to national exploration, security, and economic objectives. These systems include radioisotope power systems, compact fission reactors for power or propulsion, and emerging fusion propulsion technologies. Each presents distinct risks that are not comprehensively addressed by current international or domestic legal frameworks. This article therefore examines those legal regimes and draws from commercial space, civil nuclear, and maritime liability models to propose modernized regulatory approaches that address technology-specific risks, resolve compliance uncertainty, and enable the lawful, safe, and scalable deployment of the advanced space nuclear power and propulsion systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]