US Plans Nuclear Reactor on the Moon Amid Competition with Russia and China

NASA has been instructed to accelerate the development of a nuclear reactor for future lunar bases, in an effort to stay ahead of China and Russia. NASA's acting administrator, Sean Duffy, has called for the completion of a 100-kilowatt reactor by 2030.

Duffy's directive, as reported by Politico, calls on the space industry to submit proposals for a small 100-kilowatt reactor, capable of meeting the needs of approximately 80 American households. Nuclear power on the Moon is considered essential for creating a future lunar economy and producing energy on Mars.

Duffy referred to Russia and China's plan for a nuclear-powered base on the Moon by the mid-next decade, with Beijing aiming to send humans to the lunar surface by 2030. He warned that the first country to establish a base on the Moon could impose restrictions on American operations.

NASA is called upon to appoint a head of the effort within 30 days and to announce a competition within 60 days. Many experts believe that small nuclear power plants are the best solution for the Moon, due to the length of the lunar night.

Simultaneously, Duffy issued a directive for the development of private space stations to replace the International Space Station after 2030.