NASA races to launch nuclear reactors on Moon and Mars

NASA Pushes Nuclear Engines for Moon and Mars

In a directive that could shape the United States’ long‑term path to other worlds, NASA has appointed a “nuclear czar” to pick two private‑sector plans for reactors on the Moon and Mars within six months.

Why Urgent

• China and Russia announced a joint effort to launch a lunar reactor by the mid‑2030s.
• The first country to install such a power system could declare a “keep‑out zone,” blocking US launch vehicles from Artemis missions.

Historical Context

Since 2000, NASA has spent $200 million on small, lightweight fission power systems—none ready for flight. In 2023, the agency awarded three $5 million industry study contracts that demonstrated a 40 kilowatt fission engine, enough to power 30 households for ten years.

Advantages Over Solar

Unlike solar panels, fission engines can operate continuously around the clock. They provide reliable power during the long lunar nights and Martian dust storms, and recent advances have made them increasingly compact and lightweight.

Leadership

The July 31 memo, signed by acting NASA chief Sean Duffy—who is also US transportation secretary—signals a shift toward prioritizing human space exploration over scientific research under President Donald Trump’s second term.

NASA’s New Direction for Mars and the Moon

During the July 31 memo, acting administrator Sean Duffy highlighted a policy shift that now places human space exploration at the top of NASA’s agenda, even as scientific research takes a lower priority under the current administration.

Deciding to Harness Nuclear Power on Mars

• In December 2024, NASA formally authorized the use of a nuclear power system for the first of seven crucial steps toward a human presence on the Red Planet.
• Industry input determined that surface power should reach a minimum of 100 kilowatts. This level is essential for long‑term operations, including the extraction of in‑situ resources, life support, communication arrays, and mining equipment needed to harvest surface ice.
• The plan assumes a “heavy‑class lander” capable of delivering up to 15 metric tons. NASA expects to be ready to launch by the first quarter of FY30, which translates to late 2029.

Artemis Facing Continued Delays

The Artemis program aims to return to the Moon and establish a permanent foothold near the south pole, but the timeline has slipped again.

• The first crewed landing, Artemis 3, is now projected for 2027—a target that many see as unrealistic given the current status of SpaceX’s Starship, which remains far from launch readiness.
• With each delay, NASA’s plan to build the infrastructure that will support a lunar base becomes more uncertain.

China’s Steady Progress Toward a 2030 Moon Mission

China is targeting the year 2030 for its inaugural crewed lunar mission, and it has shown a stronger track record of meeting its deadlines in recent years.

• China’s moon program has consistently moved faster than its Western counterparts, delivering critical milestones with tighter schedules.
• As the U.S. grapples with delayed lunar technology, China’s steady pace could position it as a leader in human lunar exploration.

Overall, NASA’s strategy now prioritizes establishing a human presence on Mars and the Moon, while the scheduling of lunar and Martian missions continues to unfold in a dynamic, international context.