Why the US Is Racing to Build a Nuclear Reactor on the Moon
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Summary
NASA is accelerating efforts to place a nuclear reactor on the moon by 2030, intending to beat China and Russia to the feat.
Building a nuclear reactor on the moon would be a significant development for scaling up nuclear power in space and opening up new possibilities for the industry.
NASA believes that having a nuclear reactor on the moon would provide high levels of energy for exploratory missions and could remain a constant power supply for future permanent bases on the lunar surface.
However, building a nuclear reactor on the moon presents several challenges, including long lead times, strict safety regulations, lack of mission demand and the political appetite for such a project.
