US plans 500kW lunar nuclear reactor in bold 2030 space power push

The US plans to develop and deploy a powerful 500-kilowatt-electric (kWe) nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2030, marking a significant advancement in space power technology. Led by NASA’s Fission Surface Power Initiative and supported by the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), this reactor aims to provide continuous, high-capacity energy to support lunar habitats, industrial operations, communication systems, and resource extraction. This initiative represents a major leap beyond the smaller radioisotope generators traditionally used in space missions, offering a substantial increase in available power to enable more ambitious and sustained human activities on the Moon. A recent INL-funded report outlines three strategic options for US space nuclear leadership: the most ambitious “Go Big or Go Home” approach advocates for a 100–500 kWe reactor program with a 10-year operational lifespan without maintenance; a mid-level “Chessmaster’s Gambit” suggests developing two smaller sub-100 kWe reactors through public-private partnerships; and a cautious alternative focuses