Acting NASA Chief Tells Agency to Build a Nuclear Reactor on the Moon, Before China Does It First

> NASA’s acting administrator Sean Duffy is fast-tracking the agency’s plans to build a nuclear reactor on the lunar surface, highlighting a focus on human spaceflight and establishing a long-term presence on the Moon.

> Duffy mentions China and Russia’s joint plan to put a nuclear reactor of their own on the Moon in the mid-2030s, citing a concern that the two countries could “potentially **declare a keep-out zone**” that would hinder NASA’s ability **to do the same.**

> “To properly advance this critical technology to be able to **support a future lunar economy**, high power energy generation on Mars, and to strengthen our national security in space, it is imperative the agency move quickly,” Duffy wrote in the directive.

> NASA has been working on a Fission Surface Power System for the Moon since 2022, when the agency awarded three $5 million contracts to its commercial partners to develop initial concept designs for a small reactor.

> With the ongoing Artemis program, NASA wants to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon. Building a habitat on the lunar surface would prove tricky without power, and relying on solar energy alone would likely be insufficient. The day-night cycle on the Moon lasts for about a month, with roughly two weeks of sunlight followed by **two weeks of darkness that would leave solar arrays without its energy source.** On the other hand, **fission reactors can operate around the clock, even in the Moon’s shadowy craters and during the long lunar nights.**

> The recent directive is part of the administration’s push to send humans to the Moon and Mars and to establish dominance in the new space race with China and Russia.

Chernobyl happened in part because of a government that didn’t exactly embrace criticism and now I’m going to trust this government to transport nuclear fuel rods atop tons of explosives every few years?