FLASH NEWS
NASA wants a nuclear reactor on the Moon
2025-08-05 19:31:42 / MISTERE&KURIOZITETE
NASA will announce in the coming days the official launch of a plan to build a lunar nuclear reactor: a 100-kilowatt project designed to provide continuous power for future missions and support permanent bases, scheduled for completion by 2030 despite funding cuts. The initiative comes amid renewed space competition with Russia and China, and marks the first major step for Acting Administrator Sean Duffy at the helm of the space agency.
According to Politico, the goal is to accelerate an ambitious plan to install a nuclear fission reactor on the lunar surface by 2030. The project is part of the Artemis program, through which the United States aims to reestablish a long-term human presence on the Moon as a prelude to future missions to Mars. The reactor, developed under the joint supervision of NASA and the Department of Energy (DOE), represents the natural evolution of the Fission Surface Power (FSP) program, which began years ago with more modest initial goals. The new target of 100 kW represents a significant technological leap compared to the 40 kW envisaged in the first phase.
The lunar reactor will serve to provide a continuous and reliable source of energy, independent of sunlight cycles or the extreme environmental conditions of the lunar surface. This type of power supply will be essential for supporting permanent habitats, scientific equipment and, ultimately, even industrial processes on site, such as oxygen production or resource extraction. A 100 kW reactor is considered sufficient to power a base with four astronauts for at least ten years, according to technical documents previously shared by the DOE. The initiative aims to create a model that can be replicated in other contexts, such as missions to Mars or ground deployments in isolated or disaster-prone areas.
The announcement is driven by a specific strategic motivation: to win the “second space race” against Russia and China, according to NASA sources cited by Politico. Both countries have publicly stated their intention to establish autonomous lunar bases in the coming years and are investing increasingly large resources in bilateral cooperation on joint space missions. The US administration, especially the one started under Donald Trump and continued under the current executive, sees technological superiority in space as a key element of global competitiveness. It is no coincidence that in the proposed 2026 budget, the resources earmarked for manned space flights are increasing, despite an overall context of falling spending.
Despite the enthusiasm for the project, NASA is facing significant budget cuts, especially for science missions. The cuts stem from a combination of inflation, re-prioritization, and internal political pressure. According to Newsweek, several science programs not directly related to returning to the Moon have already been reduced or suspended. However, the portion of the budget allocated to human missions and lunar infrastructure has been partially protected or even increased. After the official announcement, NASA will begin a process to select industrial partners to build the reactor. The call for proposals is expected by the end of 2025, with a final selection in 2026.
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