US Edition
NASA Fast-Tracks 100 kW Lunar Reactor Program With 2030 Launch Target
UNITED STATES, AUG 6 – NASA aims to deploy a 100-kilowatt lunar nuclear reactor by 2030 to ensure continuous power through long lunar nights and counter China-Russia space competition, officials said.
- NASA directed by acting administrator Sean Duffy on July 31, 2025, to fast-track a nuclear reactor for the Moon with a 2030 launch target.
- This directive responds to an international lunar race, particularly China and Russia's mid-2030s plan for a joint automated lunar nuclear power station.
- The plan calls for a reactor generating at least 100 kilowatts, transportable by a heavy lander with a 15 metric ton payload capacity, to power sustainable lunar bases.
- Duffy warned that the first nation to deploy a reactor could claim a "keep-out zone" on the Moon, potentially restricting others' operations, including the US Artemis program.
- If successful, NASA's initiatives could enhance energy technologies for lunar and Martian missions, develop new space stations to succeed the International Space Station by 2030, and maintain American leadership in the face of global space competition.
354 Articles
354 Articles
PanoramaAtomic current, rocket launch and global power games: While China and Russia are working at a nuclear moon station, the US is accelerating the construction of its own reactor.
What a nuclear reactor on the Moon really means for NASA's future
For many years, NASA’s science mission directorate — which leads humanity in studying the Earth, the Sun, other planets and world and the greater Universe from space — has focused on maintaining a balanced portfolio. This plan ensures that: flagship missions, like Hubble and JWST or the most recent Mars rovers, medium-sized missions, like the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, SPHEREx, TESS, or the Europa Clipper, small-sized missions, like OSIRIS-R…
NASA Under Trump to Build Nuclear Reactor on Moon - News Addicts
The Trump administration is taking a major step in America’s renewed push for space dominance, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy — now also serving as interim NASA Administrator — announcing plans to deploy a 100-kilowatt nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2030, according to Politico. The directive marks the first major policy shift at NASA […]
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 45% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
