Bob Behnken

Vice President of Exploration, Product & Technology Strategy, Lockheed Martin

Search every verified Bob Behnken interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. Bob Behnken, vice president of mission strategy and advanced capabilities at Lockheed Martin, spoke on a panel about nuclear power for space at the 2026 Air, Space & Cyber Conference on September 15. He discussed Lockheed Martin’s work on nuclear systems, including terrestrial micro-reactor deployments at locations such as Fort Bragg and a Space Force strategic breakthrough award, through Spaceworks, for a space reactor demonstration at Idaho. Behnken said the company’s terrestrial nuclear programs help build infrastructure, safety procedures, and regulatory experience that can be adapted for space applications. Behnken stated that Lockheed Martin has been a proponent of nuclear power for both exploration and national security space applications, emphasizing that thermal and power management are key technology areas. He said these technologies need to earn their way onto missions based on compelling applications, which could include shortening transit times for Mars missions or other exploration and security uses. He also noted that advancing the technology will require partnerships across industry, supply chains, and government champions to navigate regulatory processes.