NASA aims to build a nuclear reactor on the moon by 2030 — a 100-kilowatt power source designed to keep a lunar base operational through the moon’s two-week nights when solar energy isn’t available. If successful, it could be a game-changer for establishing a permanent human presence beyond Earth.

The mission faces significant challenges: safely moving and operating a reactor in space, cooling it without an atmosphere, and ensuring dependable performance in one of the most extreme environments. But if NASA manages to pull it off, the benefits are huge — continuous energy for science, exploration, and eventually industry on the lunar surface.

This project is more than just engineering. It’s a strategic race. China and Russia are working on similar technology, and whoever wins first could set the rules for the next chapter of space exploration. For the U.S., the lunar reactor isn’t just about power — it’s about demonstrating leadership in humanity’s venture into deep space.