US Space Nuclear Reactor Deployment

planned

The United States plans to deploy nuclear reactors in space by 2028 and establish them on the Moon by 2030 as part of the National Initiative for American Space Nuclear Power. The reactors will generate around 20 kilowatts of power, operating for 3 years in orbit and up to 5 years on the Moon, supporting habitats, communication systems, and scientific instruments. The US Department of Energy will oversee development, testing, transportation, and launch safety of these nuclear systems. The initiative also includes development of nuclear propulsion systems for Mars missions to reduce travel time and enable deeper space exploration.