How Nuclear Submarines Stay Submerged for Months

The key to this extended underwater endurance lies in the submarine's nuclear reactor, which generates heat through nuclear fission. This heat boils water to produce steam, which drives turbines that generate electricity and power the propulsion system.

Because the reactor does not require oxygen to operate, the submarine does not need to surface to breathe, unlike diesel engines that consume air. The crew's oxygen supply is maintained through electrolysis, which splits water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen, while carbon dioxide