NASA Eyes 2030 for Lunar Reactor to Power Future Moon Missions

NASA Eyes 2030 for Lunar Reactor to Power Future Moon Missions
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NASA is planning to install a nuclear reactor on the moon by 2030, a move seen as a critical step toward establishing a sustainable human presence in space. The initiative, as reported by Anadolu Agency, comes amid a new space race, with both China and Russia also working on plans to build a nuclear power station on the lunar surface by 2035.

A nuclear reactor is considered a necessary alternative to solar panels due to the moon’s long, 14-day-long nights, during which temperatures can drop to -173°C. Solar power is not a reliable energy source during these extended periods of darkness.

The most likely location for the reactor is near the moon’s south pole, a region believed to contain significant quantities of water ice. This ice could be used for drinking water or be broken down into hydrogen and oxygen to serve as rocket fuel.

While experts acknowledge the inherent risks of launching nuclear material, they maintain that these risks are manageable, given that safety protocols are already in place from previous deep-space missions. However, the project’s success is dependent on a substantial financial commitment of at least $2 billion to $3 billion in the first five years and continued government support.