NASA will compete with China and Russia to build nuclear reactors on the moon by 2030

With substantial budget cuts NASA is tracking quickly A clear goal to develop nuclear reactors on the moon and next-generation space stations: defeating our opponents in the new space race.

Two new memorandums signed by NASA’s interim chief and transport secretary Sean Duffy outline bold strategies to secure the foundation of the moon’s strategy. The core of this work is The lunar nuclear reactor, Renewable and stable power supply to support long-term exploration.

“The goal is to drive everything,” a senior NASA official told Fox News figures. “Our systems, habitats, wanderers, robotic equipment, and even future mining operations – everything we have to do on the moon depends on that.”

The moon’s environment makes this necessary. It lasts a one-month day cycle (two weeks of sunlight, then two weeks of darkness – making solar unreliable. The reactor will allow the task to run 24/7.

Transport Minister Duffy announces lunar nuclear reactor development plan

China and Russia aim at attractions on the moon

NASA officials warned that China and Russia had publicly announced plans for a joint lunar nuclear project in the mid-2030s. If they succeed first, they can establish exclusive controls on the Moon’s most valuable areas, the lightest and where water and ice are available.

“They can build a ‘food area’ at the main locations,” NASA officials warned.

Despite financial constraints, Duffy’s leadership showed the focus of Lunar and Martian’s exploration.

“China has landed at the end of the moon. We have never been.” “They are dominating this field along a stable path.”

The International Space Station will be out of orbit in 2030. (Roscosmos State Space Corporation via AP, file)

New contract structure for nuclear reactor development

The new directive has collected proposals for a 100-km nuclear reactor (enough to power about 80 households) with a target launch date of 2030. It also requires NASA to appoint a dedicated program leader.

Today, many robot spacecraft operate only a few watts, equivalent to a few light bulbs, which severely limits scientific capabilities. Although the ISS uses solar panels, the model does not work on the moon or Mars because the sunlight is too weak or unreliable.

Replace ISS: Horizon’s Commercial Station

The second memorandum shifts focus to replace aging and leaks International Space Station (ISS)planned to retire in 2030. Without a successor, China will be the only country with permanent crew stations on track.

NASA now plans to select two business partners within six months of issuing a request for a new proposal. Under Duffy’s guidance, the agency is moving away from traditional fixed-price contracts and will use flexible Space Act agreements, which allows companies to save time and money while making companies more free.

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“We are telling companies what we need,” said a senior NASA official. “But we are not stating how they have to do it. This flexibility saves us time and resources.”

NASA hopes the new station is cheaper and easier to maintain than the International Space Station. Initially, it envisioned a platform that could host two astronauts for six months. However, under the revised plan, the minimum requirement is only one month for four astronauts.

NASA wants a new commercial space station that can accommodate four astronauts for a month. (NASA via Getty Image)

Background: Commercial low-earth orbit destination plan

NASA’s Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destination (CLD) initiative was launched in 2021 and is divided into two phases:

• Phase 1: Fund companies such as Blue Origin and Northrop Grumman design private space stations.
• Phase 2: Reward contract for building and certification of selected radio stations.

Duffy’s instructions require a skip in phase 2 fixed price contracts and continue to comply with the Space Act agreement, which is consistent with the austerity limits of budget restrictions.

Budget cuts NASA’s future

NASA’s overall budget will drop from $24.8 billion to $18.8 billion, a 25% cut, according to the Trump administration’s fiscal 2026 budget proposal. The Science Mission Bureau is responsible for overseeing research in planetary science, astrophysics, earth observation and thermal physics, and will face a decrease of nearly 50%. However, the Human Space Program plans to increase funding.

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NASA also confirmed that nearly 4,000 employees (about 20% of the workforce) have made voluntary acquisitions in recent months.

Despite these setbacks, agency officials remain optimistic.

“Multiple companies have told us they can ship a station in two years,” a senior official said. “The schedule is always challenging, but we believe we can achieve these goals, even with a leaner budget.”