August M
Plans for a permanent human presence on the Moon have taken a significant step forward. US officials say preparations are underway for a project that could redefine how future lunar missions are powered.
The initiative is tied to long-term ambitions under NASA’s Artemis programme, which aims to move beyond short visits and establish lasting infrastructure on the Moon.
Targeting 2030
According to WPTech, the United States intends to place a nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2030. NASA has confirmed that work on the project is progressing and that the timeline remains achievable.
The reactor is designed to provide independent power for future lunar bases, supporting sustained operations on the surface. The plan forms part of broader efforts to ensure a continuous American presence on the Moon.
NASA has been developing technologies for autonomous energy generation for several years, with the reactor now seen as a cornerstone of those efforts.
Longstanding cooperation
WPTech reported that NASA and the US Department of Energy have collaborated on nuclear technologies in space for more than 50 years. Radioisotope thermoelectric generators have previously powered missions including the Cassini spacecraft and the Curiosity and Perseverance rovers.
Officials say the experience gained from those projects will help shape the next generation of power systems intended for crewed deep-space missions.
US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said earlier American achievements, from the Manhattan Project to the Apollo programme, laid the groundwork for advances once thought impossible, and that the new lunar project follows that tradition.
Political backing
In December, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing that construction of a lunar base begin before the end of the decade, WPTech reported.
Under the current schedule, the nuclear reactor must be ready for launch to the Moon by 2030 at the latest. It is expected to supply the energy required for long-term missions at the facility.
NASA and the Department of Energy have since signed a memorandum of understanding reaffirming their joint commitment to the project.
Powering permanence
New NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman acknowledged that establishing a crewed base on the Moon would require on-site nuclear power. He said such a system is essential if the agency is serious about maintaining a permanent human presence.
Experts cited by WPTech argue that nuclear energy is the most practical solution for long-duration bases on the Moon or Mars. Unlike solar power, reactors can operate continuously for many years without refuelling and are unaffected by darkness or weather conditions.
Sources: WPTech
