U.S. Announce Nuclear Reactor on Moon

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy (R) will announce expedited Plans this week, to build a Nuclear Reactor on the Moon, the First Major Action by the former Fox News Host, as the Interim NASA Administrator.

NASA has discussed building a Reactor on the Lunar Surface, but this would set a more definitive Timeline, and come just as the Agency Faces a Massive Budget Cut. The move also Underscores how Duffy, who faced Pushback from Lawmakers about handling Two Jobs, wants to play a Role in NASA Policymaking. “It is about winning the second space race,” said a NASA Senior Official Discuss the Documents ahead of their Wider Release.

Trump (R) named Duffy as Interim Administrator in July, after abruptly Withdrawing the Nomination of billionaire Jared Isaacman, amid a Spat with the Nominee’s Ally, Elon Musk. Duffy also offered a Directive to more Quickly to Replace the International Space Station (ISS), another NASA Goal. The Two moves could help Accelerate U.S. efforts to Reach the Moon and Mars, a Goal that China is also Pursuing.

The Plans align with the Trump Administration’s focus on Crewed Spaceflight. The White House has proposed a Budget that would increase Human Spaceflight Funds for 2026, even as it Advocates for Major Slashes to other Programs, including a nearly 50% Cut for Science Missions.

The Reactor Directive Orders the Agency to Solicit Industry Proposals for a 100 kilowatt Nuclear Reactor to launch by 2030, a Key consideration for Astronauts’ return to the Lunar Surface. NASA previously Funded Research into a 40 kilowatt Reactor for use on the Moon, with Plans to have a Reactor ready for Launch by the early 2030s.

The First Country to have a Reactor could “declare a keep-out zone which would significantly inhibit the United States,” the Directive states, a sign of the Agency’s concern about a Joint Project China and Russia have Launched.

The Directive also Orders NASA to Designate a Leader for the effort, and to get Industry Input within 60 days. The Agency is seeking Companies able to Launch a Reactor by 2030, since that’s around the time China intends to Land its First Astronaut on the Moon.

The Nuclear Initiative means that NASA will continue to have a Hand in Nuclear Development even after the Pentagon’s recent Cancellation of a Joint Program on Nuclear-Powered Rocket Engines.










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