tech
April 27, 2026
The US Plans to Install Nuclear Reactors on the Moon on Trump's Orders, Is It Possible or a Tall Tale?
The race for the Moon has entered a new, more ambitious and strategic phase. Donald Trump's government has ordered NASA and the US Department of Defense to accelerate the development of nuclear power plants on the natural satellite, in a move that seeks to ensure American leadership against China in space exploration, as revealed by El País.
TL;DR
- US is accelerating the development of nuclear power plants for the Moon, with orbital reactors by 2028 and surface systems by 2030.
- The initiative, part of the Artemis program, aims to establish a constant energy source for long-term lunar missions and potential permanent presence.
- The plan focuses on the Moon's south pole, where solar energy is insufficient due to perpetual darkness and extreme temperatures.
- Reactors, up to 100 kilowatts, will power scientific bases, communication systems, and exploration vehicles.
- The US is also developing a nuclear-powered interplanetary mission for 2029.
- Challenges include limited budgets (estimated $30 billion), dependency on private companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin, and competition from China's lunar program.
- The Pentagon will develop its own space nuclear systems in parallel with NASA to foster technological competition.
- Lunar bases are planned for construction from 2029, with the goal of permanent operation by 2032.