The acting director of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Sean Duffy, has instructed the agency to accelerate its plans to build a nuclear reactor on the moon. This move aims to make the United States the first country to achieve this goal, thereby outpacing competition with China.
A directive obtained by CNN dated July 31st indicates that accelerating the construction of a nuclear reactor on the lunar surface to support moon exploration efforts will keep the United States ahead of China and Russia. China and Russia have announced plans to jointly develop similar projects before the mid-2030s on at least three occasions.
If another country were to achieve this feat first, they may declare a “no-go zone,” restricting U.S. activities on the moon’s surface through NASA’s Artemis program. NASA’s Artemis III mission, planned for 2027, aims to achieve the goal of sending humans to the lunar surface for the first time in over fifty years.
“We are engaged in a moon race with China. And to establish a base on the moon, we need energy,” said Duffy at a drone press conference on Tuesday, August 5.
Duffy’s directive also calls for the appointment of a senior executive to lead this project within 30 days.
Politico first reported this news on Tuesday, stating that Duffy would announce the acceleration of the moon nuclear reactor construction plan. These plans align with the Trump administration’s focus on manned spaceflight. The proposed budget from the White House includes increased funding for manned spaceflight in 2026, despite significant cuts to other programs.
NASA is looking for companies that can launch a reactor to the moon before 2030, a timeline that aligns with China’s plan to send the first astronaut to the moon.
According to NASA’s website, NASA has previously collaborated with the Department of Energy to design a fission power system. This project aims to provide the moon with at least 40 kilowatts of electricity—enough to sustain power for 30 households for 10 years.
While the nuclear reactor will help facilitate long-term stays on the moon, NASA’s new plan does not clearly specify when a base can be established on the lunar surface.
“Energy is crucial, if we are to sustain life on the moon and eventually venture to Mars, this technology is essential,” Duffy stated.
NASA aims to establish a lunar settlement on the moon’s surface within less than a decade.