Trump Orders Pentagon, NASA, and DOE to Compete on Lunar Nuclear Reactors
President Donald Trump has issued a directive ordering the Pentagon, NASA, and the Department of Energy to compete in designing nuclear reactors for deployment in lunar orbit by the end of his second term and on the Moon's surface by 2030. This memo follows a previous executive order aimed at establishing space superiority and enabling a permanent moon base. The initiative seeks to leverage private-sector partnerships to demonstrate low- to mid-power space reactors as early as 2028. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman emphasized that clear nuclear power policies are essential for future Mars missions. While experts note potential applications like space-based data centers and missile warning systems, some criticize the timeline as overly ambitious. The move underscores the administration's focus on maintaining technological leadership against competitors like China, although Trump recently avoided committing to beating China back to the Moon in a media interview. The Pentagon is required to brief the White House on progress within 90 days.
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Trump Orders Pentagon, NASA, and DOE to Compete on Lunar Nuclear Reactors
President Donald Trump has issued a directive ordering the Pentagon, NASA, and the Department of Energy to compete in designing nuclear reactors for deployment in lunar orbit by the end of his second term and on the Moon's surface by 2030. This memo follows a previous executive order aimed at establishing space superiority and enabling a permanent moon base. The initiative seeks to leverage private-sector partnerships to demonstrate low- to mid-power space reactors as early as 2028. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman emphasized that clear nuclear power policies are essential for future Mars missions. While experts note potential applications like space-based data centers and missile warning systems, some criticize the timeline as overly ambitious. The move underscores the administration's focus on maintaining technological leadership against competitors like China, although Trump recently avoided committing to beating China back to the Moon in a media interview. The Pentagon is required to brief the White House on progress within 90 days.
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