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Amid a major budget cut, NASA is quickly tracking the development of nuclear reactors on the moon and next-generation space stations, defeating US enemies in a new space race with one clear objective.
Two new memos signed by Interim NASA Chief and Transport Secretary Shawn Duffy outline a bold strategy to secure the moon’s strategic position. At the heart of this effort is the lunar reactor, a renewable and stable power source to support long-term exploration.
“The goal is to strengthen everything,” a senior NASA official told Fox News Digital. “Our systems, habitats, rovers, robotic equipment, and even future mining operations — everything we want to do on the moon depends on this.”
The lunar environment requires this. A one-month daily cycle – two-week daylight and two-week dark cycle – can’t trust solar power. The reactor allows the mission to function 24 hours a day.
Transport Secretary Duffy announces plan for the moon’s nuclear reactor development
NASA is seeking proposals from private companies for new commercial space stations and lunar reactors. (SpaceX)
China and Russia set sights on the moon
NASA officials warn that China and Russia had publicly announced plans for the Joint Moon nuclear project by the mid-2030s. If they succeeded first, they could exclusively control the most precious areas of the moon, the places with access to the most light, water and ice.
“They were able to set up ‘keepout zones’ at key locations,” a NASA official warned.
Despite financial constraints, Duffy’s leadership presents new priorities for exploring the Moon and Mars.
“China has already landed on the other side of the moon. We never have it,” the official added. “They are on a stable path to dominating this domain.”
The International Space Station will enter orbit in 2030.
New contract structure for nuclear reactor development
The new directive calls for the proposal of a 100-kilowatt nuclear reactor, sufficient to power around 80 homes, with its target release date for 2030. NASA must also assign a dedicated program leader.
Today, many robotic spacecraft operate at just a few watts, the equivalent of several light bulbs that severely limit scientific capabilities. The ISS uses solar panels, but the model does not work on the moon or Mars. This model has too much sunlight or is unreliable.
ISS Exchange: Commercial Bureau on the Horizon
The second note shifts the focus to replacing the aging and leaky International Space Station (ISS) that is scheduled to retire in 2030. Without a successor, China will be the only country with a permanent crew on orbit.
NASA currently plans to select two commercial partners within six months of issuing a new request for the proposal. Under Duffy’s direction, the agency is away from traditional fixed price contracts and instead uses flexible space law contracts.
Chinese satellites complete groundbreaking missions 22,000 miles on Earth
“We’re telling businesses what we need,” said a senior NASA official. “But we don’t prescribe how they have to do that. That flexibility saves us both time and resources.”
NASA hopes that the new station will be cheaper and easier to maintain than the ISS. Originally, it was intended to be a platform that could host two astronauts for six months. However, under the revised plan, the minimum requirement is four astronauts for just one month.
NASA wants a new commercial space station that can accommodate four astronauts for a one-month stint. (NASA via Getty Images)
Background: Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destination Program
Starting in 2021, NASA’s Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destination (CLD) initiative consisted of two phases.
Phase 1: Fund Companies – like Blue Origin and Northrop Grumman – to design private space stations. Phase 2: Contracts for the construction and certification of selected stations.
Duffy’s directive calls for the continued Space Law contracts to be skipped in Phase 2, in line with the strengthening of budget constraints.
Budget cuts will change the future of NASA
According to the Trump administration’s 2026 budget proposal, NASA’s overall budget will fall from $24.8 billion to $18.8 billion, a 25% reduction. The Science Mission Bureau, which oversees research in planetary science, astrophysics, Earth observation and Heliophytics, will face a reduction of nearly 50%. However, the human spaceflight programme is expected to increase funding.
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NASA also confirms that around 20% of its employees (about 20% of its employees) have made voluntary acquisitions in recent months.
Despite these set-offs, agency officials remain optimistic.
“Several companies say they can deliver stations within two years,” one senior official said. “The timeline is always challenging, but I believe we can achieve these goals.
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