NASA fast-tracks plan to build nuclear reactor on Moon by 2030

(Web Desk): US media reports that NASA is accelerating its plans to build a nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2030.

According to a BBC report, this move is part of the United States’ broader ambitions to establish a permanent human base on the Moon's surface.

Politico reports that NASA's acting chief, referencing similar plans by China and Russia, stated that these two countries might potentially declare a restricted zone on the Moon.

However, in light of recent and significant budget cuts, questions are being raised about the feasibility and timeline of this goal. Some scientists are concerned that these projects may be driven more by geopolitical motives than scientific ones.

Countries including the US, China, Russia, India, and Japan are in a competitive race to explore the Moon, with some aiming to establish permanent human settlements there.

According to The New York Times, Sean Duffy — the acting head of NASA appointed during President Trump's term and the current US Secretary of Transportation — wrote a letter to NASA stating, “In order to develop the Moon’s future economy, generate energy on Mars, and strengthen national security in space, it’s essential to advance this key technology in a timely manner.”

Sean Duffy has invited private companies to propose designs for a reactor capable of generating at least 100 kilowatts of electricity — a relatively modest amount, as a typical wind turbine on Earth generates 2 to 3 megawatts.

The idea of generating power on the Moon using a nuclear reactor is not new. In 2022, NASA awarded $5 million contracts to three companies to design such a reactor.

Earlier this May, China and Russia also announced their intent to build an automated nuclear power station on the Moon by 2035.

Many scientists agree that this may be the best — or possibly the only — reliable way to ensure a continuous power supply on the Moon’s surface.

One day on the Moon is equivalent to four Earth weeks — with two weeks of continuous sunlight followed by two weeks of total darkness. This makes relying solely on solar energy extremely challenging.

Dr. Sangwoo Lim, Senior Lecturer in Space Applications, Exploration, and Instrumentation at the University of Surrey, said, “Even for supporting a small crew on the Moon, a basic habitat would require energy at the megawatt level. Solar panels and batteries alone cannot reliably meet this demand.”

He further stated, “Nuclear energy is not just desirable — it’s essential.”

Professor Lionel Wilson of Lancaster University’s Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences said that with sufficient investment, placing a reactor on the Moon by 2030 is technically feasible. He noted that designs for small reactors already exist.

Referring to NASA's Artemis space program — which aims to send humans and equipment to the Moon — he said, “It’s simply a matter of launching enough missions under Artemis to establish the necessary infrastructure on the Moon.”