NASA official says the project is “about winning the second space race.”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who is also the acting administrator of NASA, recently issued a directive to expedite NASA’s development of a moon-based nuclear reactor with a deadline of 2030.
“Fission surface power (FSP) is both an essential and sustainable segment of the lunar and Mars power architectures for future human space exploration missions,” the NASA directive states. “To properly advance this critical technology to be able to support a future lunar economy, high power energy generation on Mars, and to strengthen our national security in space, it is imperative that the agency move quickly.”
NASA has been developing plans for a small nuclear reactor on the moon, but Russia and China have jointly launched a project that could potentially exclude other nations. A nuclear reactor on the moon would allow for astronauts to access additional power while in space, allowing for longer expeditions to distant locations.
“There are very specific areas of the moon that are critical that who gets there first gets to plant their flag,” said Secretary Duffy recently. “We know the Chinese want to get there as well, so speed is of the essence.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Secretary Duffy as he functions in the dual role of interim NASA administrator.
- For U.S. space officials as they work to ensure the U.S. has access to additional power and energy in space.
Sources: UPI News, Politico, PJ Media
