US Plans to Build a Nuclear Reactor on the Moon
In 2022, NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy announced a bold plan building a nuclear reactor on the Moon by the late 2030s. It sounds like science fiction, but it’s becoming science fact. The goal? To power future missions and help humans live on the Moon for months, maybe even years.
The Moon is not an easy place to survive. It gets super cold, and nights there last about 14 Earth days. That’s a long time to go without sunlight. Solar panels can’t do the job alone. We need a steady, reliable source of energy. So, nuclear power becomes the answer.
This idea is more than just about power. It’s about preparing for the future. If we can run a reactor on the Moon, we can dream bigger like living on Mars or exploring deeper into space. Let’s explore why this project matters, how it works, and what it means for the future of space travel.
Why the Moon Needs a Nuclear Reactor?
The lunar night lasts nearly 14 Earth days. Sunlight disappears. Solar panels stop working. That makes reliable energy a big challenge. NASA and the Department of Energy saw a need for steady power. They began the Fission Surface Power project. Its goal is to give constant electricity to lunar bases and equipment. Solar alone can’t meet that need in shadowed regions or during long nights.
A nuclear reactor solves several problems. It runs day and night and works in cold, dark craters. It supports rovers, habitats, science gear, and life support systems. This gives crews more freedom and safety.
Overview of the US Nuclear Reactor Plan
In June 2022, NASA and the DOE picked three teams Lockheed Martin, Westinghouse, and IX for the Phase 1 design of a 40 kW lunar reactor. Each got a $5 million contract. The design had to be small and light under six metric tons. It also needed to operate for about ten years with minimal human support.
By early 2024, NASA wrapped up Phase 1. They reviewed designs and prepared to move into detailed development in Phase 2.
Then, on August 4, 2025, acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy announced a new plan. NASA will fast-track and upscale the project. Now the goal is a 100 kW reactor, ready for launch by 2030. Private firms must submit proposals within 60 days. This larger reactor aims to support a bigger lunar base and send a message in the new space race.
How the Reactor Will Work?
The planned system is based on earlier work like the Kilopower project and the Fission Surface Power concept. It uses low-enriched uranium fuel in a compact reactor. Liquid metal coolant carries heat to converters. Those make electric power using Stirling engines or thermoelectric devices. Heat is dumped via radiators into space.
Design goals are clear: minimal crew intervention, safety, and longevity. The reactor stays under two tons or about six metric tons total including support systems. It must limit radiation exposure to safe levels under 5 rem per year at one kilometer away.
Potential Benefits and Scientific Significance
A steady power source changes the game. We can run habitat modules, rovers, scientific labs, and even production of oxygen or fuel from lunar soil. That opens up in‑situ resource use (ISRU), making long missions more sustainable.
It also lets us explore permanently shadowed craters for water ice. Water could become life support or rocket fuel. A reactor helps unlock treasures like Helium‑3 deposits or lunar minerals.
Demonstrating this tech on the Moon helps prepare for Mars. If we succeed here, we can adapt similar systems for long missions further out.
Risks and Controversies
Nuclear reactors in space stir concern. Critics worry about launch failures with uranium onboard. They also fear contamination of lunar sites. NASA plans strict safety controls. This includes careful handling, testing in orbit, and safe shielding protocols.
There is skepticism too about political motives. Reddit users questioned urgency and questioned NASA leadership’s priorities.
Still, supporters say this tech is vital for reliable, round‑the‑clock power. They argue the benefits outweigh the risks when handled properly.
Global Context and Competition
The U.S. is not alone. China and Russia plan their own lunar power and base project called ILRS. Their goal: a nuclear plant on the Moon by 2036.
Chinese state‑owned engineers claim they have a reactor design that’s up to 75% more efficient than NASA’s. It uses ring‑shaped fuel rods and 18.5 kg of uranium instead of NASA’s 70 kg design. This could allow more reactors per launch and longer lifespan.
NASA now sees this as a contest. Duffy’s memo warned that if China or Russia launch first, they might declare “keep‑out zones” limiting U.S. operations on the lunar surface.
Bottom Line
We are at the start of a new era. NASA and DOE now aim for a 100 kW lunar reactor by 2030. This is bigger and faster than earlier plans. It could power habitats, rovers, research gear, and fuel production.
This project not only supports Artemis missions. It also positions the U.S. to lead in space energy systems amid growing competition. Risks remain. But if we succeed, this reactor becomes a foundation for sustained exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes. Two large reactors at Plant Vogtle in Georgia started operations in 2023 and 2024. Some small modular reactor (SMR) projects are also under development now.
The U.S. has about two large reactors recently built and several SMR or microreactors at early stages. Additional reactors are planned under a federal roadmap.
The U.S. government wants to triple nuclear energy by 2050. It plans 200 GW of new power, including new builds, restarts, and upgrades.
As of now, the U.S. is not building a commercial fusion reactor. Research continues in fusion labs, but no operational fusion plant is under construction.
Disclaimer:
This is for information only, not financial advice. Always do your research.