NASA and U.S. Department of Energy Plan to Develop Lunar Surface Reactor by 2030
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will cooperate to develop and deploy a lunar surface reactor by 2030.
Within the cooperation, NASA and DOE anticipate deploying a fission surface power system capable of producing safe, efficient and stable electrical power that will be able to operate for years without the need to refuel. The deployment of a lunar surface reactor will enable future sustained lunar missions by providing uninterrupted power supply, regardless of sunlight and temperature.
In 2022, NASA selected three design concepts for a 40 KW nuclear power system designed to last at least 10 years in the lunar environment to receive 5 million USD of funding under the Artemis campaign.
The Artemis campaign is an international program led by NASA intended to reestablish a human presence on the Moon and create conditions for long-term staying. The project envisages the development of lunar infrastructure and scouting of resources, which will become a key step in preparing for future crewed missions to Mars.
According to the World Nuclear News