NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy have renewed and expanded their long-standing partnership to develop a nuclear fission power system capable of operating on the Moon, a move officials say is critical to sustaining human presence beyond Earth and preparing for future missions to Mars. Under the renewed agreement, the two agencies are targeting the deployment of a fission surface power reactor on the lunar surface by 2030 as part of the Artemis program and the broader Moon-to-Mars exploration strategy.
A concept image of NASA’s Fission Surface Power Project. Credit: NASA
The collaboration is formalized in a new memorandum of understanding between NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy, aligning civil space exploration with national policy goals that emphasize American leadership and technological superiority in space. The agreement outlines joint responsibilities for developing, fueling, authorizing, launching, and ultimately deploying a compact nuclear reactor designed specifically for lunar surface operations.
Agency officials say the reactor would provide a steady, long-duration source of electrical power, capable of operating safely for years without refueling. Unlike solar arrays and batteries, which are constrained by the Moon’s two-week-long nights and extreme temperature swings, a fission-based power system would enable continuous operations regardless of lighting conditions. This capability is seen as essential for long-term habitation, scientific research, communications, and the construction of surface infrastructure.
Under current U.S. space policy, NASA is tasked with returning astronauts to the Moon, establishing a sustained presence there, and using the lunar environment as a proving ground for eventual human missions to Mars. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said achieving those goals will require power systems far more capable than what solar energy alone can provide. He described nuclear power as a foundational technology for what he called a new “Golden Age” of space exploration and discovery.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright framed the effort in historical terms, drawing parallels to landmark American projects such as the Manhattan Project and the Apollo program. He said the renewed partnership reflects a continuation of the nation’s tradition of using advanced science and engineering to open new frontiers, adding that the Department of Energy is working closely with NASA and commercial partners on what he characterized as one of the most ambitious technical undertakings in the history of both nuclear energy and spaceflight.
The initiative builds on more than 50 years of collaboration between NASA and the Energy Department, including the development of radioisotope power systems that have enabled spacecraft to operate in deep space and extreme environments where sunlight is scarce. A surface fission reactor represents a significant step beyond those systems, offering orders-of-magnitude more power and scalability for human exploration.
NASA has identified fission surface power as a critical enabling technology for lunar operations, particularly during long lunar nights and in permanently shadowed regions near the poles, where water ice and other valuable resources are believed to exist. A reliable nuclear power plant could support habitats, life-support systems, in situ resource utilization facilities, scientific instruments, and high-bandwidth communications for many years.
Under the agreement, the Department of Energy will contribute its expertise in nuclear fuel development, reactor design, safety analysis, and regulatory authorization to ensure the system meets performance and security requirements. NASA will be responsible for integrating the reactor into its lunar architecture, coordinating with lander providers, surface systems developers, and commercial partners that may supply additional infrastructure.
Beyond exploration, officials are also framing the lunar reactor effort as a strategic investment in U.S. technological and commercial leadership. Technologies developed for a compact, space-qualified fission system could drive advances in materials, manufacturing, and reactor design with potential applications both in space and on Earth.
As the Artemis campaign moves toward establishing a permanent foothold on the Moon and laying the groundwork for human missions to Mars, NASA and the Department of Energy say nuclear power will be central to turning short visits into sustained presence—and to ensuring the United States remains at the forefront of exploration, science, and space commerce in the decades ahead.
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