NASA is expediting the development of nuclear reactors on the moon and next-generation space stations to stay ahead in the new space race amidst significant budget cuts. Two memos signed by interim NASA chief and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy outline a strategy to secure strategic ground on the moon, with a focus on a lunar nuclear reactor as a renewable power source for long-term exploration.
According to a senior NASA official, the goal is to power everything on the moon, including systems, habitats, rovers, robotic equipment, and future mining operations. This move is essential due to the moon’s month-long day cycle, making solar power unreliable, as it experiences two weeks of daylight followed by two weeks of darkness. A nuclear reactor would enable missions to operate around the clock.
NASA officials caution that China and Russia have announced plans for a joint lunar nuclear project by the mid-2030s, which could give them exclusive control over valuable areas on the moon. This underscores the importance of NASA’s efforts in this space.
The new directive solicits proposals for a 100-kilowatt nuclear reactor with a target launch date of 2030. NASA plans to appoint a dedicated program leader to oversee this initiative. The agency is also looking to replace the aging International Space Station (ISS) by 2030 and is considering commercial partners for new space stations to maintain a permanent human presence in orbit.
NASA’s Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destination program, launched in 2021, aims to fund companies to design private space stations. The agency is now moving towards using flexible Space Act Agreements for building these stations, in line with tightening budget constraints.
Despite budget cuts and workforce reductions, NASA officials are optimistic about meeting their goals, with several companies expressing confidence in delivering a new space station within two years. The agency remains committed to advancing space exploration despite financial challenges.
