NASA plans to create a nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2030

• NASA plans to create a nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2030.
• The project involves autonomous functioning without human involvement.
• The USA is competing with China for the establishment of a base on the Moon.

NASA's plans for a nuclear reactor on the Moon

NASA, under the leadership of administrator Shawn Duffy, has announced its intention to develop a nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2030. This is part of a strategy aimed at supporting life on the lunar surface and preparing for a mission to Mars.

Shawn Duffy emphasized that the USA is in a race with China for the establishment of a base on the Moon, and nuclear energy is essential for this. The reactor will provide 100 kW of power, sufficient to sustain a base that could function for a decade without human intervention.

The Fission Surface Power project, developed by NASA, envisions the creation of a lightweight and autonomous system capable of operating in the conditions of prolonged lunar nights. These nights last more than two Earth weeks, which makes solar energy unreliable.

Currently, NASA plans to announce a competition for American aerospace companies to develop this reactor. Similar projects have been developed before, but the Trump administration accelerated the timeline for realization.

The utilization of nuclear energy on the Moon is seen as a crucial step for ensuring a permanent presence on the lunar surface and for future colonization of Mars. Since the first entity to develop a reactor may gain a significant advantage, this issue is of strategic importance.

Tags: Energy/Technology/Space