Washington D.C. – U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, serving as the interim Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) following his appointment by President Trump, is set to announce expedited plans for the construction of a nuclear reactor on the Moon. This move, first reported by Politico, signifies a significant acceleration in the United States' lunar exploration strategy. The initiative underscores a renewed focus on establishing a sustained human presence on the lunar surface.
The directive, issued by Duffy, aims to fast-track the Fission Surface Power project, with a target of deploying a 100-kilowatt nuclear reactor by 2030. This timeline is more aggressive than previous NASA plans, which envisioned a 40-kilowatt system by the early 2030s. The reactor is deemed crucial for providing continuous, reliable power for future lunar outposts, especially during the two-week-long lunar nights when solar power is unavailable.
A senior official at NASA emphasized the geopolitical implications of the accelerated timeline, stating, > "It is about winning the second space race." This sentiment highlights concerns over advancements by other nations, particularly China and Russia, which have announced joint efforts to develop lunar power stations by the mid-2030s. Duffy's directive warns that the first country to deploy a reactor could potentially declare a "keep-out zone," hindering U.S. Artemis program objectives.
NASA has been researching fission surface power systems for decades, building on projects like Kilopower. The agency had previously awarded contracts to companies like Rolls Royce North American Technologies, Brayton Energy, and General Electric to design initial concepts for a 40-kilowatt class fission power system. The new directive calls for soliciting industry proposals for the more powerful 100-kilowatt system and designating a program executive to lead the effort.
The push for lunar nuclear power is integral to NASA's Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon and establish a long-term presence. While the Artemis III mission is slated for 2027 to land astronauts, a robust power infrastructure is essential for sustaining operations and future lunar bases. The expedited reactor development reflects a strategic imperative to secure energy independence and leadership in lunar exploration.