NASA & DOE Commit to Lunar Reactor by 2030

Key Takeaways:

• NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a fission surface power system for the Moon, targeting deployment by 2030.
• The reactor is designed to deliver continuous, long-duration electrical power for Artemis and future Mars missions, operating for years without refueling.
• The agreement builds on more than 50 years of NASA-DOE collaboration and emphasizes U.S. leadership in space under current national policy.

What the agencies agreed to

NASA and DOE have formalized a renewed partnership through a recently signed memorandum of understanding to advance a lunar surface reactor under the Artemis campaign. The agencies will collaborate on design, fuel, authorization, testing, and readiness for launch.

Technical goals

The planned fission surface power system is intended to provide safe, efficient, and abundant electrical power that can operate continuously regardless of sunlight or extreme lunar temperatures. NASA and DOE say the reactor will enable sustained lunar operations by supplying consistent power day and night and through long lunar winters.

Why this matters for Artemis and Mars

Sustained human and robotic activities on the Moon require reliable baseload power that solar arrays and batteries can struggle to provide during long nights or shadowed regions. A compact fission reactor offers a scalable, long-duration solution to support habitats, science payloads, and in-situ resource processing.

Policy and leadership

The agencies framed the effort as part of a broader national space strategy. “Under President Trump’s national space policy, America is committed to returning to the Moon, building the infrastructure to stay, and making the investments required for the next giant leap to Mars and beyond,” said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. “Achieving this future requires harnessing nuclear power. This agreement enables closer collaboration between NASA and the Department of Energy to deliver the capabilities necessary to usher in the Golden Age of space exploration and discovery.”

DOE perspective

U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright emphasized American scientific leadership. “History shows that when American science and innovation come together, from the Manhattan Project to the Apollo Mission, our nation leads the world to reach new frontiers once thought impossible,” he said. “This agreement continues that legacy. Thanks to President Trump’s leadership and his America First Space Policy, the department is proud to work with NASA and the commercial space industry on what will be one of the greatest technical achievements in the history of nuclear energy and space exploration.”

Next steps and timeline

The agencies aim to advance development, complete required authorizations, and ready a flight-capable reactor for launch by 2030. The program will leverage DOE nuclear expertise, NASA mission and systems integration, and commercial partnerships to mature hardware and safety cases for lunar operation.

Context

This initiative builds on more than five decades of NASA-DOE cooperation and aligns with NASA’s Moon to Mars architecture for sustained exploration and science on the lunar surface and beyond.