Lunar Nuclear Power Plant Under Development by NASA

NASA is making strides in its mission to establish a permanent presence on the moon, with the focus on harnessing nuclear power for long-term sustainability. The U.S. administration, under the leadership of NASA administrator Sean Duffy, has announced plans to place a working nuclear reactor on the moon before the end of the decade.

The Artemis II mission, scheduled for 2026, could potentially speed up the development of lunar reactors if it moves forward on schedule. This mission aims to carry astronauts back to the moon for the first time since the Apollo era.

NASA has a history of using nuclear power in space since the 1960s, employing small nuclear batteries called radioisotopes. However, the new reactors being planned are far more powerful, creating about 100 kilowatts—enough to power a few dozen homes on Earth.

Companies like X-Energy, Westinghouse, Lockheed Martin, and General Atomics are part of the NASA project to develop a nuclear rover for operation on the moon. X-Energy, for instance, is building microreactors for companies like Dow Chemical and Amazon, and wants to use its own special fuel for NASA projects. Westinghouse, an experienced reactor builder, plans to adapt its small eVinci reactor for space use.

Lockheed Martin and BWXT have been working with NASA on the nuclear-powered spacecraft DRACO. The final system for NASA's lunar reactors is expected to use a Stirling engine and a liquid sodium cooling system.

The urgency to build microreactors on the moon is palpable among U.S. officials, given the race with China to secure resources and territory on the moon. China aims to test 3D printing and robot-built lunar bases by the 2030s and wants to control valuable areas near the moon's poles. The U.S. officials believe that the cost of microreactors on Earth, which runs into billions, is justified given the urgency of the situation.

In 2022, NASA gave $5 million each to three teams to design 40-kilowatt reactors. Sebastian Corbisiero, who leads space reactor research at Idaho National Lab, is working on a NASA contract and believes that if the Artemis missions move forward on schedule and if NASA gets the funding, it is possible to have lunar reactors ready in five years.

A significant challenge lies in the fact that nights on the moon last about 14 Earth days, making solar panels ineffective. Burning fuels like oil or gas isn't possible on the moon, making nuclear power a viable solution. Corbisiero's team concluded in 2023 that nuclear power on the surface is essential for a permanent presence on the moon.

The U.S. is not only racing against time but also against China. The companies working on the NASA project, including Lockheed Martin and General Atomics, are working diligently to ensure that America secures its place on the moon first and secures it for America, as stated by Duffy.