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Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy is pushing for an accelerated timeline to place a nuclear reactor on the moon by 2030, according to a recent directive. This ambitious goal aims to leapfrog current plans for a smaller reactor, despite significant budget constraints facing the agency.
The directive reflects a focus on winning what some officials are calling the “second space race,” particularly against China, which also has lunar ambitions. Duffy’s push for a 100-kilowatt reactor – capable of powering roughly 80 American households – signifies a significant increase from the 40-kilowatt reactor currently in development. He has called for industry proposals within 60 days and the appointment of a project overseer within 30 days, coinciding with China’s planned 2030 lunar landing.
Duffy’s directive also calls for expediting the replacement of the International Space Station with commercially operated stations. This accelerated timeline is deemed crucial to maintain a continuous U.S. presence in low-Earth orbit, especially given the aging ISS infrastructure. Contracts for the new commercial stations are expected to be awarded within six months.
The directive underscores the importance of nuclear power for sustained lunar operations and potential future missions to Mars, as well as national security in space. Duffy warned that allowing another nation, particularly in a joint venture like the one between Russia and China, to establish a nuclear reactor first could lead to restricted access for the United States. Despite recent Pentagon cuts to a nuclear propulsion program, NASA remains committed to developing nuclear power technologies for space exploration.
While the 2027 Artemis moon landing remains the agency’s target, experts caution about potential delays due to the untested nature of key components, like SpaceX’s Starship lunar lander. The exact purpose of the proposed lunar reactor remains unclear, with no specific details provided regarding the systems or equipment it would power.