Space & Astronomy

Trump's NASA chief expedites plan to build nuclear reactor on the Moon

By T.K. Randall
August 5, 2025

Image: AI-generated (Midjourney) Recently appointed by the US President as the interim administrator of NASA, Duffy has set his sights on having a nuclear reactor set up and working on the lunar surface within the next five years.

The project, which has been in the works for a while, is currently in the design phase with NASA working alongside the US Energy Department to develop a fission power system capable of generating 40 kilowatts.

Duffy, however, has now stipulated that the unit will need to provide a minimum of 100 kilowatts.

Much of the project's sudden urgency is likely down to the threat of Russia or China achieving something similar before the US does."The first country to do so could potentially declare a keep-out zone which would significantly inhibit the United States from establishing a planned Artemis presence if not there first," Duffy warned.

As things stand, the new timeline will see a Fission Surface Power Program Executive designated within 30 days and an invite for industry proposals within 60 days.

Actually completing the project by 2030, however, is likely to prove highly challenging - nothing like this has ever been done before.

Whether NASA will be able to achieve it within the time stipulated remains to be seen.

Source: Independent

Tags: Moon, Nuclear