Transportation Secretary and acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy announced a major push to accelerate plans for building a nuclear reactor on the moon, signaling a shift from research to real-world deployment.
At a Department of Transportation press conference, Duffy explained that the United States is in a high-stakes competition with China to establish a long-term lunar presence, and that reliable energy will be crucial for any permanent base. While some areas on the moon can utilize solar power, Duffy stressed that nuclear technology is essential for ensuring consistent energy at key locations.
He stated that NASA has already spent hundreds of millions of dollars studying nuclear power options, but the time for study is over. “We’re now going to move beyond studying,” Duffy said. “Let’s start deploying our technology and actually make this a reality.”
The proposed reactor would generate 100 kilowatts of energy — roughly equivalent to what a 2,000-square-foot home would consume in three and a half days. Duffy clarified that this isn’t a massive system and emphasized, “We’re not launching this live,” indicating it would be assembled or activated after reaching the lunar surface.
This initiative marks Duffy’s first major policy move since being tapped by President Trump to temporarily lead NASA in early July. The appointment came after the president withdrew his original nominee, tech entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, just before a scheduled confirmation vote.
NASA’s focus appears to be shifting more aggressively toward human spaceflight and deep space readiness. In July, the agency announced that nearly 4,000 of its 18,000 employees would be leaving through two voluntary resignation programs — a restructuring that reflects this renewed emphasis on space missions over other priorities.
Duffy highlighted previous NASA investments into nuclear power systems, noting that the agency awarded $5 million contracts in 2022 to three companies for initial designs of a 40-kilowatt-class fission system. The new goal of 100 kilowatts reflects a bold escalation in ambitions.
He emphasized that if the U.S. is serious about leading in lunar and Martian exploration, it must act swiftly. “We’re behind,” he said. “If we’re going to engage in the race to the moon and the race to Mars, we have to get our act together. We have to marshal all our resources and focus.”
Duffy framed the effort as a return to NASA’s core mission. “There are a lot of things NASA does — and people love those things — but this is about exploration. This is about the next phase,” he said.