NASA is accelerating plans to deploy a 100-kilowatt nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2030, according to interim head Sean Duffy. The reactor would ensure steady power through long lunar nights and help secure water-ice resources at the Moon’s south pole. China and Russia also aim for lunar reactors by the mid-2030s, sparking a geopolitical “moon race.” NASA is mandating key steps within 60 days, including appointing a reactor program manager. Despite ambitious goals, funding remains a hurdle, with NASA’s proposed 2026 budget at historic lows and cuts hitting science programs and staffing.
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