US wants to build a nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2030, BBC News reports

The United States wants to build a nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2030 as part of efforts to establish a permanent base where people could live on Earth's natural satellite, BBC News reported today. It also notes, however, that the realism of this goal is in question, particularly in light of significant cuts at the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Politico reported that NASA's acting administrator and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy will unveil the space agency's plans for a nuclear reactor this week. Documents seen by the outlet say NASA will seek proposals for a 100-kilowatt nuclear reactor that would be ready for launch by 2030.

According to Politico, the deadline also takes into account China's aim to send its first astronaut to the Moon around 2030. Beijing and Moscow also announced this May that they wanted to build an automated nuclear power plant on the Moon by 2035.

"To properly develop this critical technology to support the future lunar economy, high-power energy production on Mars and strengthen our national security in space, it is essential that the agency move quickly," Duffy wrote to NASA employees, according to The New York Times.

BBC News notes that a 100-kilowatt reactor is relatively small, comparing it with a typical onshore wind turbine with a capacity of two to three megawatts.

Many scientists believe that a nuclear power plant is the best way to ensure a stable electricity supply on the Moon, where harnessing solar energy is complicated by roughly two-week periods of daylight alternating with equally long periods of darkness.

The outlet notes, however, that Duffy's directive comes as a surprise after President Donald Trump's administration announced a 24 percent cut to NASA's 2026 budget.