NASA builds nuclear reactors on the moon by 2030

According to US media reports, NASA will plan to build a nuclear reactor on the moon in rapid orbit by 2030.

This is part of the United States’ ambitiousness and the permanent basis for human beings to live on the surface of the moon.

According to Politico, NASA’s acting head mentioned similar plans from China and Russia and said the two countries “could be “probably declared field zones” on the moon.

But given the recent and steep NASA budget cuts targets and steep budgets, and some scientists are concerned that the program is driven by geopolitical goals.

Countries including the United States, China, Russia, India and Japan are eager to explore the moon’s surface through some planned permanent settlements.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Seean Duffy was appointed NASA by President Donald Trump.

Mr Duffy called on a commercial company to propose a proposal to build a reactor that generates at least 100 kilowatts of electricity.

This is relatively small. A typical inshore wind turbine produces 2-3 MW.

The idea of using a nuclear reactor as a power source on the moon is not new.

In 2022, NASA signed three $5 million contracts with the company to design the reactor.

In May this year, China and Russia announced that they plan to build automated nuclear power plants on the moon by 2035.

Many scientists believe this would be the best or perhaps the only way to provide continuous power on the moon’s surface.

One lunar day is equivalent to four weeks on Earth, consisting of two weeks of continuous sunshine and two weeks of darkness. This makes relying on solar energy very challenging.

“Even a moderate lunar habitat to accommodate small crews requires megawatt-scale generation. Solar arrays and batteries alone cannot meet these needs reliably,” said Dr. Sungwoo Lim, senior lecturer at Suerrey University, said.

“Nuclear energy is not only ideal, but inevitable,” he added.

Lionel Wilson, professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Lancaster University, believes that technically, reactors can be placed on the moon by 2030, “belowing the promise of enough money,” he stressed that there are already designs for small reactors.

“It’s just a matter of having enough Artemis launches to build infrastructure on the moon,” he added.

There are also some issues with security.

“Radical materials emitted through the Earth’s atmosphere poses safety issues. You have to have special permission to do this, but it’s not insurmountable,” said Dr. Simeon Barber, a planetary science expert at the Open University.

Mr. Duffy’s instructions were surprising after the recent turmoil at NASA after the Trump administration announced a 24% cut in 2026 NASA’s budget.

This includes cutting back on many scientific programs, such as Mars Sample Returns, aiming to return samples from Earth’s surface to Earth.

Scientists also worry that the announcement is a politically motivated move for the new international competition.

“It seems like we are going back to the old first space race era, and from a scientific point of view, it’s a bit disappointing and shocking.”

He added: “Competition can create innovation, but if you focus on national interests and establish ownership, you can ignore the bigger picture of the solar system and beyond being explored.”

Mr. Duffy’s comments on the potential for China and Russia to “announce the announcement of the wild zone” appear to refer to an agreement called Artemis Accorts.

In 2020, the seven countries signed an agreement to establish the principles of how countries should cooperate on the surface of the moon.

The agreement includes so-called safe zones to be established on the moon and assets.

“If you build a nuclear reactor or or any type of base on the moon, you can start claiming there is a safe zone around because there is equipment there,” Dr. Barber said.

“For some people, it’s the moon we have, we’re going to operate here and you won’t be able to come in,” he explained.

Dr. Barber notes that there are obstacles to overcome before putting nuclear reactors on the moon for human use.

NASA’s Artemis 3 aims to send humans to the moon’s surface in 2027, but it faces a range of fixed guards and funding uncertainties.

“If you have nuclear power from the base, but you can’t attract people and equipment there, then that’s not much.”

“These plans do not appear to be part of the program at this time,” he said.