The White House has issued a directive to NASA, the Pentagon, and other agencies to accelerate the development of nuclear reactors for space, with a goal of deploying them on the Moon and in orbit by 2030. The move follows President Donald Trump’s 2025 executive order on space superiority and builds on earlier announcements about lunar nuclear power.
The new guidelines outline specific roles and deadlines for agencies, including NASA, the Department of Energy, and the Office of Science and Technology Policy. The reactors are intended to support sustained electricity, heating, and propulsion for long-term space missions, including potential exploration of Mars.
The initiative comes as the U.S. seeks to maintain a competitive edge in space over China and Russia, which have also announced plans for lunar nuclear reactors. The White House memo emphasizes the strategic importance of nuclear power in space for exploration, commerce, and defense applications.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman welcomed the directive, stating that nuclear power is essential for America’s future in space. The memo also references Trump’s 2025 executive order, which set the stage for these developments.
The Department of Defense, Department of Energy, and other agencies have been tasked with meeting the White House’s goals, including deploying mid-power reactors in lunar orbit by 2028. The plan aligns with broader efforts to ensure U.S. leadership in space technology amid growing international competition.