The United States confirms plans to build a nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2030

NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) have officially confirmed plans to deploy a nuclear reactor on the Moon’s surface by 2030. The project is part of the Artemis program and aims to establish a reliable energy infrastructure to support long-term human presence on the Moon and prepare for future missions to Mars.

One of the main challenges of lunar exploration is the lack of a stable power source. Most current missions rely on solar panels, but the lunar night lasts about 14 Earth days, during which power generation stops and temperatures drop sharply.

To address this issue, NASA and DOE are developing a surface power system based on nuclear fission. Unlike solar energy, a nuclear reactor can provide continuous electricity regardless of the lunar day-night cycle or environmental conditions.

The system is designed to operate for several years without refueling or maintenance, supporting life-support systems, scientific research, and resource extraction facilities on the Moon.