US plans to outpace Russia, China in building nuclear reactor on moon
(MENAFN) The United States is ramping up efforts to develop a nuclear reactor for deployment on the Moon, aiming to outpace Russia and China in what officials are calling a “second space race,” a news agency reported on Monday.
Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy has issued a directive pushing for the creation of a 100-kilowatt fission reactor capable of operating on the lunar surface by 2030. The move is seen as a strategic milestone to ensure long-term space dominance and bolster U.S. national security interests in outer space.
“This is about winning the second space race,” a senior NASA official said, referencing the U.S. victory over the Soviet Union in the first space race, marked by the 1969 Apollo 11 Moon landing.
According to internal NASA documents cited by a media organization and other outlets, the agency was warned that whichever country successfully installs a lunar reactor first could claim a "keep-out zone," potentially limiting access to critical lunar territory for others — including the U.S.
Nuclear power is viewed as essential for extended lunar missions, especially in areas where solar energy is unreliable due to long nights and permanently shadowed regions. While NASA previously funded studies into 40-kilowatt systems, this new directive significantly raises the power target.
Russia is reportedly working on its own space-based reactor for the Zeus nuclear-powered tug, formally known as the Transport and Energy Module, further intensifying the technological race.
Duffy, who also serves as U.S. Secretary of Transportation, was appointed acting head of NASA last month by President Donald Trump, in what analysts see as a move to inject urgency and leadership into America’s lunar ambitions.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
