As global powers set their sights on the Moon, a new move from Washington signals renewed urgency. US transportation secretary Sean Duffy is preparing to announce a bold plan to fast-track a nuclear reactor for lunar use.
Lunar nuclear project gets 2030 launch target
According to documents reviewed by POLITICO, Duffy will outline a clear timeline for the construction and deployment of a 100-kilowatt nuclear reactor on the Moon. The announcement is expected later this week, marking his first major step since being named interim NASA administrator.
The reactor is aimed at powering future lunar missions by 2030. This project follows earlier research funded by Nasa into a smaller 40-kilowatt reactor, initially scheduled for deployment in the early 2030s.
The new plan urges NASA to request proposals from private industry. It also asks the agency to appoint a project head and collect industry feedback within 60 days. The timing aligns with China's own plans to land astronauts on the Moon by 2030.
A senior NASA official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the project reflects a clear strategy. “It is about winning the second space race,” the official stated.
White House budget backs crewed space goals
The directive comes at a time when NASA faces budget pressure. The White House’s 2026 proposal increases funding for human spaceflight while reducing science missions by nearly half.
President Donald Trump selected Duffy after withdrawing Jared Isaacman’s nomination last month. The change followed tensions between the administration and Elon Musk, including a public dispute in July.
Despite managing both transportation and NASA roles, Duffy is moving swiftly. His orders include speeding up the replacement of the International Space Station with commercial alternatives.
NASA intends to issue contracts to at least two private firms within six months. Axiom Space, Blue Origin, and Vast are among the companies expected to compete.
Nuclear rivalry looms as global interests grow
The documents suggest growing concern over China and Russia’s space cooperation. Officials warn that the first country to deploy a reactor could impose exclusion zones on the Moon, limiting US access.
Though the Pentagon ended its nuclear rocket programme, NASA still supports nuclear technologies for space missions. The agency insists nuclear propulsion remains valuable for deep space exploration.
Duffy’s directive signals a sharper focus on competition in orbit and beyond. It reflects a White House push to keep the US ahead in space, even as the balance of power continues to shift.
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