Politico: NASA head Duffy to fast-track nuclear reactor on the moon
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Transportation Secretary and interim NASA head Sean Duffy is accelerating plans for a 100-kilowatt nuclear reactor on the moon, aiming for launch by 2030.
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US Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy speaks during a news conference to provide a status update on Newark Liberty International Airport at the Department of Transportation in Washington, Wednesday, May 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who is also serving as interim NASA administrator, is set to announce an expedited plan to construct a 100-kilowatt nuclear reactor on the moon by 2030. This marks the first major initiative under his dual role and reflects the Trump administration’s eagerness to lead the "second space race", as first reported by Politico.
Duffy's directive, issued Thursday, orders NASA to solicit industry proposals within 60 days and appoint a program lead within 30 days. The plan aims to position the US ahead of a joint China-Russia lunar base project targeting a reactor deployment in the mid-2030s.
"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 stated in the directive reviewed first by Politico.
US response to China-Russia lunar ambitions
The directive explicitly warns that a China-Russia partnership could "declare a keep-out zone" on the moon, posing strategic limitations for the US. NASA officials view this as a race for permanent lunar infrastructure dominance, a concern highlighted in Politico's report.
Deploying a reactor also offers geopolitical advantages. Being the first to establish nuclear infrastructure on the moon could allow the US to secure strategic operational zones, enable resource extraction, and reinforce leadership in space exploration.
Technical goals
The reactor is expected to provide at least 100 kilowatts of power, enough for around 80 US homes. This surpasses previous NASA-backed efforts in 2022, which awarded contracts for 40-kilowatt designs.
Accordingly, a nuclear reactor on the moon is seen as essential for powering long-duration missions, scientific operations, and future lunar settlements. Solar energy, while useful, is insufficient for permanent installations due to the moon’s extreme 28-day cycle of two weeks of daylight followed by two weeks of darkness. Unlike solar panels, nuclear reactors can offer consistent, high-output energy regardless of sunlight availability.
Furthermore, compact nuclear systems are more efficient in terms of mass and volume compared to large solar arrays or heavy batteries, making them more cost-effective for space launches. The power generated could support not only habitats and research facilities but also in-situ resource utilization technologies, such as extracting water and producing fuel from lunar soil.
NASA’s broader strategy
The nuclear push aligns with the Trump administration’s proposed 2026 budget, which boosts human spaceflight spending while slashing nearly 50% from science missions. Duffy’s move underscores a broader intention to pivot NASA toward commercially-driven, strategic goals in space, as outlined in Politico's reporting.
Duffy also issued a second directive to accelerate the development of commercial replacements for the International Space Station (ISS), which is set for retirement by 2030. NASA plans to award at least two contracts within six months. Companies such as Axiom Space, Vast, and Blue Origin are among the potential contenders.
Replacing the ISS is seen as urgent. The station, while a longstanding symbol of international cooperation, is becoming increasingly costly to maintain due to its aging parts and outdated technology. A newer, more efficient commercial station would ensure the US continues to have a human presence in low Earth orbit, while also freeing up NASA’s resources to focus on deeper space ambitions.
