US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who was recently appointed acting head of NASA, will announce this week an accelerated plan to build a nuclear reactor on the Moon. The move will be his first major initiative in his new role, Politico reports.
NASA has previously discussed such a project, but Duffy’s directive sets a clear timeline for sending a 100-kilowatt reactor to the Moon by 2030. The goal is to strengthen the US position in space, especially against the backdrop of joint lunar programs by China and Russia.
The project involves the involvement of the private sector, and NASA plans to receive proposals in the next 60 days. This comes at a time when the agency is undergoing significant budget cuts while increasing funding for human flights.
In addition, Duffy has instructed the acceleration of replacing the International Space Station with private stations. NASA plans to sign contracts with at least two companies within six months and send a new space station by 2030.
These initiatives align with the Trump administration’s objectives to bolster the US presence on the Moon and Mars, thereby securing a victory in the “second space race.”
