US Media: US Aims to Build Nuclear Reactor on Moon by 2030

According to multiple US media reports, US Secretary of Transportation and Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy will soon announce plans to accelerate the construction of a nuclear reactor on the Moon. This marks Duffy's first major initiative since being appointed acting administrator earlier this year.

A disclosed directive from Duffy states that expediting the lunar surface reactor project will advance US lunar exploration missions. The plan sets a concrete timeline for NASA's previously conceived lunar nuclear reactor project, targeting the launch and deployment of a 100-kilowatt reactor by 2030. The directive also requires NASA to solicit industry feedback within 60 days and appoint a lead to oversee the project. NASA is currently seeking companies capable of launching the reactor by 2030.

On the 5th, Duffy noted that while solar power will be viable in some key lunar locations, nuclear fission technology is critical for future deep space exploration. The US has already invested hundreds of millions in this field.

NASA previously stated it's collaborating with the Department of Energy and industry partners to develop a 40-kilowatt lunar surface fission power system, planned for deployment in the early 2030s. Fission systems can provide abundant, continuous power unaffected by lunar and Martian environmental conditions.

Analysts suggest the US acceleration of lunar nuclear development aims to establish an energy foundation for long-term crewed lunar and Martian missions while gaining an edge in the new space race.