In an audacious move that has left many astounded, President Donald Trump has unveiled plans to not only return Americans to the Moon but also to construct a nuclear reactor on its surface in the near future.
According to RedState, documents obtained by Politico reveal that interim NASA administrator and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is set to announce an accelerated plan with a definitive timeline for the construction of the reactor. This move is seen as a significant stride in bolstering U.S. efforts in the ongoing second space race. While NASA had previously disclosed such plans, a specific timeline had been absent until now.
A senior NASA official, who requested anonymity, told Politico, "It is about winning the second space race." The official was discussing the documents before their broader release.
The directive for the reactor instructs NASA to seek industry proposals for a 100-kilowatt nuclear reactor to be launched by 2030. This is a crucial factor for the return of astronauts to the lunar surface. NASA had previously funded research into a 40-kilowatt reactor for lunar use, with plans to have a reactor ready for launch by the early 2030s.
The directive states that the first country to establish a reactor could "declare a keep-out zone which would significantly inhibit the United States." This statement underscores NASA's concern about a joint project launched by China and Russia.
NASA has also been ordered to appoint a leader for this initiative and to seek industry input within 60 days. The agency is on the hunt for companies capable of launching a reactor by 2030, coinciding with China's plans to land its first astronaut on the Moon.
Despite the Pentagon's recent cancellation of a joint program on nuclear-powered rocket engines, NASA will continue to be involved in nuclear development. A NASA official clarified that "While the budget did not prioritize nuclear propulsion, that wasn't because nuclear propulsion is seen as a non-worthy technology."
The report also highlighted a second directive from Duffy concerning the International Space Station. The directive proposes to replace the aging, leak-prone station with commercially operated ones, aiming to have the new Space Station operational by 2030.
These two directives could significantly bolster U.S. plans to reach the Moon and Mars, outpacing China, which harbors similar ambitions. These plans align with President Trump's goals for "crewed spaceflight," with a proposed budget that would increase human spaceflight funds for 2026.
Upon his appointment as interim acting NASA administrator, Duffy posted a message on social media, stating that returning to the Moon is now the goal under the second Trump term.
"56 years ago today, AMERICANS were first to set foot on the Moon, proving again that we're the greatest nation on Earth. It's time to top that mission. Thanks to President Trump, @NASA is BACK!" Duffy wrote. "@NASAArtemis will finish what we started: we're going back to the Moon &, this time, we're STAYING! Then, we're going to MARS! Stay tuned"
In a subsequent post, Duffy hinted at more ambitious goals. "Every milestone in the Artemis campaign brings us closer to landing Americans back on the Moon and pushing onward to Mars," he wrote. "In about six months, Artemis II astronauts will journey around the Moon for the first time in 53 years. America rallied behind Apollo because it represented the best of us now it's Artemis' turn."
Duffy added, "They're not just carrying a flag they're carrying the pride, power, and promise of the United States of America." This statement encapsulates the spirit of the Artemis campaign, which seeks to rekindle American pride in space exploration, and the promise of a new era of lunar and interplanetary exploration.
Login