By the conclusion of 2030, NASA intends to deploy a 500-kilowatt nuclear fission reactor on the Moon, aligning with a bold strategy aimed at securing long-term American dominance in space-based power.
This system is being developed under the Fission Surface Power Initiative and represents a major technological leap beyond the radioisotope generators that have powered craft like Voyager 1 and Voyager 2, as well as the Mars rovers, for decades.
NASA estimates that, unlike smaller power sources, a 500-kilowatt reactor would offer continuous energy supply for lunar habitats, industrial machinery, communications infrastructure, and even resource extraction operations. The Moon deployment is currently projected for Fiscal Year 2030.
A document titled “Weighing the Future: Strategic Options for U.S. Leadership in Space Nuclear Power” outlines three potential pathways.
The most aggressive path calls for developing a 100–500 kilowatt reactor program, spearheaded by either NASA or the Department of Defense, with backing from the Department of Energy.
The report stresses that expanding capabilities into the 100–500 kilowatt range is crucial for the nation to maintain its edge in space nuclear power technology.
A second option involves creating two separate generators, each below 100 kilowatts, through public-private alliances. One project, led by NASA, would focus on a reactor either in lunar orbit or on the surface; the second, managed by the Department of Defense, would target an energy system for operation specifically within deep space.
The third, more conservative scenario involves developing a low-power radioisotope system—less than one kilowatt—primarily to establish regulatory frameworks and a technical foundation before advancing to larger-scale deployments.
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