Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, serving as interim NASA administrator, is set to announce plans to build a nuclear reactor on the moon — marking his first major move in the role.
According to internal documents obtained by POLITICO, NASA will now pursue a definitive timeline for constructing a 100-kilowatt reactor, aiming for launch by 2030.
“It is about winning the second space race,” said a senior NASA official, who spoke anonymously ahead of the announcement.
The initiative comes as NASA faces deep budget cuts. Duffy’s dual role has drawn criticism, but the directive signals his intent to shape NASA policy. The directive also pushes for faster replacement of the aging International Space Station with commercially run alternatives by 2030.
President Donald Trump appointed Duffy in July after withdrawing the nomination of billionaire Jared Isaacman. The administration’s budget proposes increased human spaceflight funding while slashing science missions by nearly 50%.
“While the budget did not prioritize nuclear propulsion, that wasn’t because nuclear propulsion is seen as a non-worthy technology,” the NASA official added.