UK moon base dreams stall as Rolls-Royce halts nuclear reactor work

The UK Space Agency’s plan to develop a nuclear-powered Moon base has stalled after Rolls-Royce placed its lunar micro-reactor project on indefinite hold due to expired government funding and a lack of launch partners. The micro-reactor, designed to generate 100kW of power—sufficient for dozens of lunar homes—was seen as a critical technology to provide continuous energy during the Moon’s two-week-long nights, when solar power is ineffective. Launched three years ago with strong government backing, the project aimed to advance the UK’s position in space exploration and domestic technology but is now in limbo pending renewed support or partnerships. Meanwhile, the United States is aggressively pursuing its own lunar nuclear power initiative under an executive order signed by former President Trump, mandating deployment of a nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2030. This effort, led by NASA and the Department of Energy, is restricted to American companies to ensure national security and maintain industrial leadership, effectively excluding international players like Rolls-Roy