President Donald Trump<\/a>\u2019s NASA <\/a>chief Sean Duffy has expedited the timeline to build a nuclear reactor on the moon, according to a directive obtained by The Independent. <\/p>\n The space agency has already mentioned the benefits of developing fission surface power (FSP) on the moon and Mars. <\/p>\n \u201cRelatively small and lightweight, fission systems are powerful and could enable robust operations on the Moon and Mars,\u201d NASA writes on its website. <\/p>\n The agency says it\u2019s currently working with the Energy Department and the space industry to design a fission power system that would provide at least 40 kilowatts of power.<\/p>\n In a directive sent to the heads of NASA on July 31, Duffy, the acting administrator of the agency and Trump\u2019s transportation secretary, ordered that the nuclear reactor provide at least 100 kilowatts of power and be ready to launch by 2030. <\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n NASA chief Sean Duffy has expedited the timeline to build a nuclear reactor on the moon, according to a new directive (Chip Somodevilla\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n The directive, first reported on by Politico<\/a>, mentioned China<\/a> and Russia<\/a>\u2019s joint effort to place a reactor on the moon by the mid-2030s. The two U.S. adversaries first announced their plans in March 2024. <\/p>\n \u201cThe first country to do so could potentially declare a keep-out zone which would significantly inhibit the United States from establishing a planned Artemis presence if not there first,\u201d Duffy warned in the directive. <\/p>\n NASA\u2019s Artemis campaign aims to establish the first long-term presence on the moon. <\/p>\n During Trump\u2019s inaugural address, he said the U.S. would launch astronauts \u201cto plant the stars and stripes on the planet Mars.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt is about winning the second space race,\u201d a NASA senior official told Politico.<\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n An artist\u2019s concept of a fission power system on the moon (NASA)<\/p>\n In Duffy\u2019s new timeline, a Fission Surface Power Program Executive will be designated within 30 days of the directive. The executive \u201cis empowered to provide reporting and updates with maximum transparency directly to the Administrator,\u201d Duffy wrote.<\/p>\n Within 60 days, NASA will ask for industry proposals for the nuclear reactor, according to the directive. <\/p>\n The directive mentioned Trump\u2019s budget request for the 2026 fiscal year, which includes $350 million for a new program \u201cthat will accelerate the development of high priority technologies for Mars, (i.e. FSP).\u201d<\/p>\n The funding would increase up to $500 million starting in the 2027 fiscal year. <\/p>\n![\"NASA](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/GettyImages-2225385721.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"An](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Screenshot-2025-08-04-at-10-08-01-PM.jpg\")
<\/p>\n