NASA flows China and Russia to build a nuclear reactor on the moon by 2030

In the midst of important budget cuts, NASA accelerates the development of nuclear reactors on the moon and new generation space stations with a clear goal: to beat American opponents in the new space race.

Two new memos signed by NASA temporary chief and transport secretary, Sean Duffy, describe a daring strategy to guarantee strategic land on the moon. The centerpiece of this effort is a lunar nuclear reactor, a renewable and stable source of energy to support long -term exploration.

“The objective is to feed everything,” said a senior NASA official at Fox News Digital. “Our systems, habitats, Rovers, robotic equipment, even future mining operations – everything we want to do on the moon depends on it.”

The environment of the moon makes it a necessity. Its one -month -old cycle – two weeks of light followed by two weeks of Darknessc – makes solar energy not reliable. A reactor would allow missions to operate 24 hours a day.

Transport Secretary Duffy to announce the development plan for nuclear reactors for the moon

NASA requests private companies proposals for new commercial space stations and a lunar nuclear reactor. (Spacex)

China and Russia throw themselves on the moon

NASA officials warn that China and Russia have publicly announced plans for a joint lunar nuclear project in the mid -2030s. If they succeed first, they could establish exclusive control over the most precious areas of the Moon, locations with the lightest and access to water and ice.

“They could set up a” Keep-out area “in the main places,” warned the NASA manager.

Despite financial constraints, Duffy’s leadership reports a renewed priority to lunar and Martian exploration.

“China has already landed on the other side of the moon. We have never done it,” added the manager. “They move on a stable path to dominate this area.”

The international space station will leave the orbit in 2030. (Roscosmos State Space Corporation via AP, file)

New contractual structure for the development of nuclear reactors

The new directive requests proposals for a 100 kilowatt nuclear reactor – enough to supply around 80 houses – with a target launch date of 2030. It also forces NASA to appoint a dedicated program manager.

Today, many robotic spacecrafts only work in a few watts, the equivalent of a few bulbs, which seriously limits scientific capacities. While the ISS uses solar panels, this model does not work on the Moon or Mars, where sunlight is too low or unreliable.

Replacement of the ISS: commercial stations on the horizon

The second memo focuses on replacing the aging and leak of the International Space Station (ISS), which should be removed in 2030. Without successor, China would become the only country with an orbit crew station.

NASA now plans to select two business partners within six months of the publication of new proposals. In the direction of Duffy, the agency is moving away from traditional contracts at a fixed price and will rather use laws on flexible space, which gives companies more freedom in the way they build stations while saving time and money.

Chinese satellites complete a revolutionary mission at 22,000 miles above the earth

“We tell businesses what we need,” said a senior NASA official. “But we do not prescribe how they must do. This flexibility saves us time and resources.”

NASA wants the new station to be cheaper and easier to maintain than the ISS. Originally, he envisaged a platform that could accommodate two astronauts for six months. But, as part of the revised plan, the minimum requirement is four astronauts for only a month.

NASA wants a new commercial space station which can house four astronauts for one month relays. (NASA via Getty Images)

Context: the commercial destination program of the Low Terrestrial Terrestrial Orbit

The commercial destination initiative of the NASA Low Earth Orbitory, launched in 2021, was structured in two phases:

• Phase 1: Fund companies – like Blue Origin and Northrop Grumman – to design private space stations.
• Phase 2: Assignment contracts for the construction and certification of selected stations.

The Duffy directive plans to skip contracts at a fixed price in phase 2 and to continue the agreements of the space law, in accordance with the tightening of budgetary constraints.

Budget cuts reshape the future of NASA

According to the budget proposal for the 2026 Fiscal Trump administration, the overall NASA budget would drop from $ 24.8 billion to $ 18.8 billion, a drop of 25%. The direction of the scientific mission, which oversees research in planetary sciences, astrophysics, earth observation and heliophysics, would be confronted with a reduction of almost 50%. However, human space flight programs are planned for increased funding.

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NASA has also confirmed that nearly 4,000 employees – around 20% of its workforce – have made voluntary buyouts in recent months.

Despite these setbacks, agency officials remain optimistic.

“Several companies tell us that they can deliver a station within two years,” said a senior official. “Deadlines are always difficult, but we think we can achieve these goals – even with a leaner budget.”