US space agency Nasa is reported to be fast-tracking plans to deploy a nuclear energy source on the lunar surface by 2030, viewing it as a strategic imperative to prevent Chinese dominance in the “second space race”.
According to Politico, Nasa’s interim administrator, Sean Duffy, has accelerated plans to deploy a small 100kW (0.1 MW) nuclear reactor on the Moon.
A directive has ordered the agency to solicit industry proposals for the reactor and sets an aggressive 2030 launch timeline, aiming to establish a sustainable human presence on the lunar surface while countering the rising influence of China.