NASA is accelerating its efforts to develop a nuclear fission reactor for the Moon, aiming to establish a reliable power source for sustained human presence on the lunar surface. This initiative is part of the agency's Artemis program, which seeks to return humans to the Moon and eventually send missions to Mars.
In 2022, NASA awarded contracts to three companies—Lockheed Martin, Westinghouse, and a joint venture between Intuitive Machines and X-Energy—to design a 40-kilowatt reactor capable of operating for at least a decade. These designs are intended to provide continuous power during the Moon's extended nights, which last approximately 14.5 Earth days. The reactors are also expected to support lunar habitats, rovers, and scientific experiments. The initial phase of this project is nearing completion, with plans to move to the next phase in 2025. A demonstration mission is targeted for the early 2030s.
In response to similar initiatives by other nations, NASA has updated its objectives. Acting Administrator Sean Duffy has directed the agency to accelerate the development of a 100-kilowatt reactor, with a target launch by 2030. This move aims to maintain U.S. leadership in lunar infrastructure and outpace competing efforts.
Internationally, China and Russia have announced plans to collaborate on a lunar base equipped with a nuclear reactor, with a target date of 2035. This development has prompted NASA to prioritize its reactor program to ensure a strategic advantage in lunar exploration.
The success of this endeavor is critical for the sustainability of future lunar missions, as a reliable power source is essential for life support, scientific instruments, and other vital equipment. A permanent power source on the Moon could revolutionize space exploration, enabling extended stays and facilitating further missions to Mars and beyond.
NASA's Fission Surface Power Project is managed by the Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, with technology development and demonstration funded by the Space Technology Mission Directorate’s Technology Demonstration Missions program at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The project is a testament to human ingenuity and our relentless pursuit of knowledge and progress, reflecting the growing importance of space exploration and the potential for international collaboration in this field.