Die NASA will Kernreaktoren auf dem Mond errichten

Having demonstrated that it has the operational capability to transport humans safely [to the moon and back](https://www.wired.com/story/artemis-ii-returns-from-historic-flight-around-the-moon/), the United States is moving on to its next major aim: It wants nuclear reactors in orbit and on the lunar surface by 2030. For such a feat, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration will have to work in conjunction with the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy.

In a post on X, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) unveiled a document with new guidelines for federal agencies to establish the space nuclear technology road map for the coming years. This, they say, will ensure “US space superiority.”

At present, space instruments use solar power to operate. However, this is considered impractical for more complex purposes. Although technically there is always sunlight, the power is intermittent and almost always requires bulky batteries to store it.

Reactors produce fairly continuous energy for years through nuclear fission. They can also be used for so-called nuclear electric propulsion. Continuous output makes them the most viable option for lunar base subsistence, but they can also allow spacecraft to undertake long or complex missions without worrying about depleting a limited supply of chemical fuel.

Nuclear technology, in short, makes it possible to go farther, with more payload, for longer, and with fewer constraints.

According to the [memorandum](https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/NSTM-3-2026_04_14-corrected.pdf), the US goal is to put a medium-power reactor in orbit by 2028, with a variant designed for nuclear electric propulsion, and a first functional large reactor on the surface of the moon by 2030. To achieve this, both NASA and the Pentagon will develop energy technologies in parallel, using the current strategy of competition among contractors.

Read the full story: [https://www.wired.com/story/nasa-wants-to-put-nuclear-reactors-on-the-moon/](https://www.wired.com/story/nasa-wants-to-put-nuclear-reactors-on-the-moon/)

What’s next? Armed marines to protect lunar interests? A base named after the first English settlement in the US?

What about the damage to the environment?

How does that work without water?

There really isn’t any other viable option, we’ve known this for a long time. And the nuclear reactor would be purpose built, meaning it wouldn’t be huge, NASA is aiming at 20kw.

Fully automated space capitalism

It’s a shame they’re ending the Outer Worlds series

I get a feeling that somebody is stalking my posts. I’m writing things and they happen.
Ffs if that’s true, offer me a job

And declare a nice big exclusion zone around it. 

With their annual budget cuts, they won’t be able to do much of anything in 2 years.

Yeah, they’ve announced this quite a while ago actually… There was this whole „Nukes on the moon“ month last year where everyone and their mom had an opinion on the subject.