The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) have agreed to jointly develop a fission-based power system for use on the lunar surface. The goal is to develop a surface reactor on the moon by 2030, establishing a sustainable power infrastructure to support NASA's Artemis crewed lunar exploration program and future crewed missions to Mars.
NASA and the DOE signed a memorandum of understanding on the 13th (local time), formalizing a goal to develop and prepare a lunar surface reactor by 2030.
One of the major practical obstacles in lunar exploration is a stable electricity supply. The moon has long days and nights, and lunar night lasts about 14 days in Earth time. During this period, solar panels cannot generate power, and temperatures plummet, making it difficult to maintain equipment and habitation facilities.
The fission surface power system the two agencies are pursuing is a small reactor power unit installed on the lunar surface. It generates heat by splitting uranium nuclei and then converts that heat into electricity. It can supply power regardless of the day-night cycle, even in environments with weak or no sunlight.
According to an explanation released by the DOE, the lunar reactor system targets up to 40 kW (kilowatts) of power. That is the electricity needed to light 400 100-watt bulbs. While the figure is no match for a massive power plant, the DOE noted it is a meaningful scale for running parts of a lunar base's infrastructure and equipment.
Going forward, NASA will handle overall design for lunar bases and exploration missions, while the DOE will jointly advance reactor design, fuel development, and preparations for launch licensing based on its expertise in reactor design and fuel management.
Jared Isaacman, NASA Director General, said, "The United States is committed to returning to the moon to stay by building the infrastructure there and investing in the next steps beyond Mars," adding, "To realize this future, we must harness nuclear energy."
Surface power on the moon is effectively regarded as a prerequisite for a long-duration, stay-capable lunar base. Against this backdrop, other space powers have similar plans. Reuters previously reported that Russia has discussed plans to build a lunar nuclear power plant within the next 10 years in line with a lunar research base initiative it is pursuing with China.