Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy will announce plans this week to build a nuclear reactor on the moon, marking the first major action as interim NASA administrator. This move aims to accelerate US efforts to reach the moon and Mars, which is also pursued by China.
According to documents obtained by POLITICO, NASA has discussed building a reactor on the lunar surface, but Duffy’s announcement sets a definitive timeline. The agency faces a massive budget cut, but this plan could help it overcome challenges.
Duffy’s appointment as interim administrator was announced in July after President Donald Trump withdrew the nomination of billionaire Jared Isaacman amid a dispute with Elon Musk’s ally. As part of his directive, NASA will solicit industry proposals for a 100 kilowatt nuclear reactor to launch by 2030.
The plans are aligned with the Trump administration’s focus on crewed spaceflight and could help the US regain a competitive edge in space exploration. The agency hopes to put a new space station in orbit by 2030, replacing the aging International Space Station, which lawmakers have expressed concerns about due to funding delays.
Source: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/04/nasa-china-space-station-duffy-directives-00492172