NASA wants to put nuclear reactors on the moon

And he proved it It has the operational capacity to transport humans safely To the moon and backThe United States is moving toward its next major goal: It wants to have nuclear reactors in orbit and on the moon by 2030. To achieve this milestone, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration must work in cooperation with the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy.

In a post on X, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) unveiled a document containing new guidelines for federal agencies to develop a roadmap for space nuclear technology for the coming years. This, they say, will ensure “US space superiority.”

Nowadays, space instruments use solar energy to operate. However, this is considered impractical for more complex purposes. Although there is technically always sunlight, the energy is intermittent and always requires huge batteries to store it.

Reactors produce more or less continuous energy for years through nuclear fission. They can also be used for what is called nuclear electric propulsion. Continuous production makes it the most viable option for living on a lunar base, but it could also allow spacecraft to undertake long or complex missions without worrying about exhausting a limited supply of chemical fuel.

In short, nuclear technology makes it possible to go farther, with greater payload, for longer, and with fewer constraints.

According to noteThe US goal is to place a medium-power reactor in orbit by 2028, with a replacement designed for nuclear electric propulsion, and the first operational large reactor on the Moon by 2030. To this end, both NASA and the Pentagon are developing energy technologies in parallel, using the existing strategy of competition between contractors.

The reactors must be modular and scalable, and must include applications for future life on the Moon and space propulsion. For its part, the Department of Energy must ensure that these projects have the fuel, infrastructure, and safety features necessary to achieve their goals. In addition, the agency will evaluate whether the industry has the capacity to produce up to four reactors within five years.

The plan contemplates technologies that produce at least 20 kilowatts of electricity for three years in orbit, and at least five years on the moon’s surface. In the meantime, they should have a design capable of raising power to 100 kilowatts. The first designs should arrive within a year.

Finally, the OSTP is tasked with creating a roadmap for the initiative, indicating obstacles and recommendations to address them.

“Nuclear power in space will provide us with the sustainable electricity, heating and propulsion necessary for our permanent presence on the Moon, Mars and beyond,” OSTP to publish. For his part, NASA Director Jared Isaacman said to publish“It is time for America to start using nuclear energy in space.” The message was followed by a US flag emoji.

The plan provides a common framework for each agency to work within. In the background, the race for space infrastructure is evidence of this Technological competition with Chinawhich also seeks advanced moon energy capabilities.

This story originally appeared on WIRED in Spanish It was translated from Spanish.