DOE and NASA renew push to build US nuclear reactor on moon by 2030

NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) have renewed their commitment through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to develop and deploy a nuclear fission surface power system on the moon by 2030. This initiative aims to provide a continuous, reliable power source to support NASA’s Artemis program and future missions to Mars. Unlike solar power, which is limited by the moon’s 14-Earth-day-long nights and dust accumulation, the nuclear reactor will deliver years of maintenance-free electricity without refueling, overcoming the challenges of intermittent lunar energy supply. The collaboration leverages NASA’s expertise in space mission architecture and the DOE’s proficiency in nuclear reactor design and fuel management to develop, fuel, and authorize the lunar reactor for launch. Establishing a lunar power grid is critical for sustaining life-support systems, scientific research, and resource extraction on the moon. This effort builds on decades of joint U.S. space exploration experience, moving beyond radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) to