The US space agency Nasa is reportedly accelerating its plans to construct a nuclear reactor on the Moon, with a target completion date of 2030, as stated by US media outlets.

This initiative is part of a broader effort by the US to establish a permanent human settlement on the lunar surface, marking a significant milestone in space exploration.

According to a report by Politico, the acting head of Nasa referenced similar plans by China and Russia, noting that these countries may potentially establish restricted areas on the Moon, sparking concerns about the implications of such actions.

However, the feasibility of this goal and the accompanying timeframe have raised questions, particularly in light of recent and substantial Nasa budget reductions, with some scientists expressing concerns that the plans may be driven by geopolitical considerations rather than scientific objectives.

A growing number of nations, including the US, China, Russia, India, and Japan, are actively engaged in exploring the Moon's surface, with several countries aiming to establish permanent human settlements in the near future.

In a statement, US Transport Secretary Sean Duffy, who has been appointed as the temporary head of Nasa by President Donald Trump, emphasized the need for swift action, citing the importance of advancing critical technology to support a future lunar economy, high-power energy generation on Mars, and strengthening national security in space.

Duffy has called for proposals from commercial companies to design and build a nuclear reactor capable of generating a minimum of 100 kilowatts of power, a relatively modest amount compared to other power sources.

For context, a typical on-shore wind turbine can produce 2-3 megawatts of power, highlighting the relatively small scale of the proposed lunar reactor.

The concept of utilizing a nuclear reactor as a power source on the Moon is not a new idea, with Nasa having previously issued contracts to companies to design such reactors.

In 2022, Nasa awarded three contracts worth $5 million each to companies to develop reactor designs, marking an initial step towards making nuclear power a reality on the lunar surface.

More recently, China and Russia announced plans to collaborate on the construction of an automated nuclear power station on the Moon by 2035, further underscoring the growing interest in lunar energy production.

Many experts agree that nuclear power is likely the most viable option for providing continuous energy on the lunar surface, given the unique challenges posed by the Moon's environment.

The lunar day, which is equivalent to four weeks on Earth, consists of two weeks of continuous sunlight followed by two weeks of darkness, making it difficult to rely solely on solar power.

Dr. Sungwoo Lim, a senior lecturer in space applications at the University of Surrey, notes that even a modest lunar habitat would require megawatt-scale power generation, which cannot be reliably achieved with solar arrays and batteries alone.

Lim emphasizes that nuclear energy is not only desirable but also inevitable for supporting human settlements on the Moon.

Lionel Wilson, a professor of earth and planetary sciences at Lancaster University, believes that it is technically possible to place nuclear reactors on the Moon by 2030, provided sufficient funding is allocated, and highlights the existence of designs for small reactors.

Wilson notes that the primary challenge lies in having enough Artemis launches to establish the necessary infrastructure on the Moon, referencing Nasa's Artemis spaceflight program.

Concerns have also been raised about the safety implications of launching radioactive materials through the Earth's atmosphere.

Dr. Simeon Barber, a planetary science specialist at the Open University, acknowledges that launching radioactive materials poses safety concerns, but notes that obtaining the necessary licenses and permits can mitigate these risks.

The directive from Duffy comes at a time of significant upheaval within Nasa, following the announcement of 24% budget cuts in 2026 by the Trump administration.

These cuts will affect a range of science programs, including the Mars Sample Return, which aims to retrieve samples from the planet's surface.

Some scientists have expressed concerns that the announcement is motivated by a desire to compete with other nations in the new lunar race, rather than being driven by scientific objectives.

Dr. Barber notes that the renewed focus on competition in space exploration is disappointing and concerning from a scientific perspective, as it may lead to a narrower focus on national interests rather than the broader goal of exploring the solar system.

Barber suggests that while competition can drive innovation, an overemphasis on national interests and establishing ownership may distract from the more significant objective of advancing scientific knowledge.

Duffy's comments about the potential for China and Russia to establish "keep-out zones" on the Moon appear to reference the Artemis Accords, an agreement signed by seven nations in 2020.

The Artemis Accords aim to establish principles for international cooperation on the Moon's surface, including the creation of safety zones around operations and assets.

These safety zones can be established around equipment and bases built on the Moon, potentially allowing countries to claim ownership and restrict access to certain areas.

Dr. Barber explains that establishing a nuclear reactor or base on the Moon could be used to claim a safety zone, effectively granting the operating country control over that area.

This raises concerns that the establishment of safety zones could be used to assert ownership and restrict access to certain areas of the Moon, undermining the principles of international cooperation.

Dr. Barber highlights the significant challenges that must be overcome before nuclear reactors can be safely and effectively used to support human settlements on the Moon.

Nasa's Artemis 3 mission, which aims to send humans to the lunar surface in 2027, has faced setbacks and uncertainty regarding funding, further complicating the plans for establishing a permanent human presence on the Moon.

Dr. Barber notes that having nuclear power for a base is of little use without a reliable means of transporting people and equipment, emphasizing the need for a more comprehensive and coordinated approach to lunar exploration.

The current plans appear disjointed, and a more integrated approach is necessary to achieve the goal of establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon.