The U.S. space agency NASA is accelerating its plans to build a nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2030, according to reports in U.S. media. The move is part of broader efforts to establish a permanent human base on the lunar surface.
As reported by Politico, the acting head of NASA referenced similar ambitions by China and Russia, warning that these nations could potentially “declare a keep-out zone” on parts of the Moon. This has raised both geopolitical concerns and questions about the feasibility of the timeline, especially amid recent 24% budget cuts to NASA announced by the Trump administration.
NASA’s current plan includes calling for commercial proposals to build a compact reactor capable of generating at least 100 kilowatts of power. While this output is modest compared to Earth-based energy sources, it could play a crucial role in sustaining life and operations on the Moon, where two-week periods of darkness make solar power unreliable.
U.S. Transport Secretary Sean Duffy, temporarily appointed as NASA chief, emphasized the urgency of advancing this technology—not just for lunar settlements, but also to support future missions to Mars and to bolster national space security. Duffy stated in a letter to NASA, as reported by The New York Times, that it is “imperative the agency move quickly.”
In 2022, NASA awarded three $5 million contracts to design a lunar nuclear reactor. China and Russia have since announced their own plans to build an automated nuclear power station on the Moon by 2035.
Many scientists support nuclear power as the most viable way to provide continuous, high-output energy on the Moon. One lunar day spans about 28 Earth days, with two weeks of daylight followed by two weeks of darkness—making solar energy unreliable for sustained operations.
Dr. Sungwoo Lim, senior lecturer at the University of Surrey, called nuclear energy not just desirable but inevitable. Professor Lionel Wilson of Lancaster University agreed that with enough funding and coordination, deploying reactors by 2030 is technically feasible—especially if NASA’s Artemis program successfully delivers the necessary equipment and infrastructure.
However, safety concerns remain, particularly over launching radioactive materials through Earth’s atmosphere. “It’s not insurmountable, but it does require special licensing,” noted Dr. Simeon Barber of the Open University.
Some scientists are also wary of the political motivations behind the initiative, viewing it as a renewed space race rather than a purely scientific endeavor. Dr. Barber cautioned that if national interests take precedence over collaborative exploration, the broader goals of space discovery could be compromised.
The announcement comes at a time when international interest in the Moon is intensifying. Countries like China, India, Russia, and Japan are also exploring long-term lunar missions, with some eyeing permanent settlements.
NASA’s Artemis 3 mission, aimed at landing humans on the Moon in 2027, has already faced delays and funding issues. Dr. Barber pointed out the risk of disjointed planning: “If you’ve got nuclear power for a base, but no way of getting people and equipment there, then it’s not much use.”
As lunar ambitions heat up, the race to build the first nuclear-powered lunar base is becoming not just a technological challenge—but a test of international cooperation, vision, and resolve.
