NASA to Accelerate Plans for Nuclear Reactor on Moon by 2030

NASA to Accelerate Plans for Nuclear Reactor on Moon by 2030
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NASA will fast-track its plans to deploy a nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2030 as part of efforts to establish a permanent human base, the BBC reported. The move comes amid growing lunar ambitions from China and Russia, which, according to NASA’s acting head Sean Duffy, could eventually “declare a keep-out zone” on parts of the Moon.

Duffy has called for proposals from commercial companies to develop a reactor capable of generating at least 100 kilowatts of power — significantly less than the output of typical Earth-based wind turbines but considered essential for sustained lunar operations. While nuclear power is seen by many scientists as the most reliable energy source for the Moon’s two-week nights, challenges remain, including budget constraints, safety concerns over launching radioactive material, and a lack of cohesive planning.

The US previously issued contracts in 2022 for reactor designs, and China and Russia aim to build an automated lunar nuclear station by 2035. Some experts warn the initiative may be politically driven, with geopolitical competition potentially overshadowing broader goals of space exploration and international cooperation.