Close Menu
Truth Republican
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Guns & Gear
  • Healthy Tips
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Truth Republican
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Guns & Gear
  • Healthy Tips
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Newsletter
Truth Republican
You are at:Home»Politics»Inside NASA’s fast-track plans for lunar nuclear power and new space stations to outpace global rivals
Politics

Inside NASA’s fast-track plans for lunar nuclear power and new space stations to outpace global rivals

Buddy DoyleBy Buddy DoyleAugust 8, 2025No Comments4 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp
Inside NASA’s fast-track plans for lunar nuclear power and new space stations to outpace global rivals
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Amid significant budget cuts, NASA is fast-tracking the development of nuclear reactors on the moon and next-generation space stations with one clear objective: beating U.S. adversaries in the new space race.

Two new memos signed by interim NASA chief and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy outline a bold strategy to secure strategic ground on the moon. The centerpiece of this effort is a lunar nuclear reactor, a renewable and stable power source to support long-term exploration.

“The goal is to power everything,” a senior NASA official told Fox News Digital. “Our systems, habitats, rovers, robotic equipment, even future mining operations — everything we want to do on the moon depends on this.”

The moon’s environment makes this a necessity. Its month-long day cycle — two weeks of daylight followed by two weeks of darknessc — renders solar power unreliable. A reactor would allow missions to function around the clock.

TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY DUFFY TO ANNOUNCE NUCLEAR REACTOR DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE MOON

China and Russia set sights on the moon

NASA officials warn that China and Russia have publicly announced plans for a joint lunar nuclear project by the mid-2030s. If they succeed first, they could establish exclusive control over the moon’s most valuable areas, locations with the most light and access to water and ice.

“They could set up a ‘keep-out zone’ in the prime locations,” the NASA official cautioned.

Despite financial constraints, Duffy’s leadership signals a renewed priority to lunar and Martian exploration. 

“China has already landed on the far side of the moon. We never have,” the official added. “They’re moving on a steady path to dominate this domain.”

A view of the International Space Station taken on March 30, 2022, by crew of Russian Soyuz MS-19 space ship after undocking from the Station.

New contract structure for nuclear reactor development

The new directive solicits proposals for a 100-kilowatt nuclear reactor — enough to power about 80 homes — with a target launch date of 2030. It also requires NASA to appoint a dedicated program leader.

Today, many robotic spacecraft operate at just a few watts, the equivalent of a couple of light bulbs, which severely limits scientific capabilities. While the ISS uses solar panels, that model doesn’t work on the moon or Mars, where sunlight is too weak or unreliable.

Replacing the ISS: Commercial stations on the horizon

The second memo shifts focus to replacing the aging and leaking International Space Station (ISS), which is scheduled to be retired in 2030. Without a successor, China would become the only country with a permanently crewed station in orbit.

NASA now plans to select two commercial partners within six months of issuing new requests for proposals. Under Duffy’s direction, the agency is moving away from traditional fixed-price contracts and will instead use flexible Space Act Agreements, which give companies more freedom in how they build stations while saving time and money.

CHINESE SATELLITES COMPLETE GROUNDBREAKING MISSION 22,000 MILES ABOVE EARTH

“We’re telling companies what we need,” a senior NASA official said. “But we’re not prescribing how they must do it. That flexibility saves us both time and resources.”

NASA wants the new station to be cheaper and easier to maintain than the ISS. Originally, it envisioned a platform that could host two astronauts for six months. But, under the revised plan, the minimum requirement is four astronauts for just one month.

In this handout photo provided by NASA, Astronaut Rick Mastracchio, STS-118 mission specialist, participates in the mission's third planned session of extravehicular activity (EVA) as construction and maintenance continue on the International Space Station August 15, 2007 in Space.

Background: The Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destination program

NASA’s Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destination (CLD) initiative, launched in 2021, was structured in two phases:

  • Phase 1: Fund companies — like Blue Origin and Northrop Grumman — to design private space stations.
  • Phase 2: Award contracts for building and certifying selected stations.

Duffy’s directive calls for skipping fixed-price contracts in Phase 2 and continuing with Space Act Agreements, in line with tightening budget constraints.

Budget cuts reshape NASA’s future

According to the Trump administration’s fiscal 2026 budget proposal, NASA’s overall budget would drop from $24.8 billion to $18.8 billion, a 25% cut. The Science Mission Directorate, which oversees research in planetary science, astrophysics, Earth observation and heliophysics, would face a nearly 50% reduction. However, human spaceflight programs are slated for increased funding.

NASA has also confirmed that nearly 4,000 employees — about 20% of its workforce — have taken voluntary buyouts in recent months.

Despite these setbacks, agency officials remain optimistic. 

“Multiple companies tell us they can deliver a station within two years,” one senior official said. “Timelines are always challenging, but we believe we can meet these goals — even on a leaner budget.”

Read the full article here

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Previous ArticleChristie Brinkley admits she and 27-year old daughter matched with the exact same men on dating apps
Next Article Former BLS commissioner says there are better ways to collect data for jobs reports

Related Articles

Trump cancels .9B foreign aid, pushes DC death penalty, touts Kim ties

Trump cancels $4.9B foreign aid, pushes DC death penalty, touts Kim ties

August 31, 2025
Top DNC official demands Dems be ‘more aggressive,’ compares Trump admin to popular carjacking video game

Top DNC official demands Dems be ‘more aggressive,’ compares Trump admin to popular carjacking video game

August 31, 2025
Trump says he will require voter ID with executive order

Trump says he will require voter ID with executive order

August 31, 2025
‘Nonsensical’ illegal immigrant tuition policy scrapped in Kentucky, Bondi lawsuit deal

‘Nonsensical’ illegal immigrant tuition policy scrapped in Kentucky, Bondi lawsuit deal

August 31, 2025
Trump nominees squeezed between ‘blue slips’ and blue obstruction

Trump nominees squeezed between ‘blue slips’ and blue obstruction

August 31, 2025
Gov. Brian Kemp endorses former football coach Derek Dooley outside Georgia stadium for 2026 US Senate bid

Gov. Brian Kemp endorses former football coach Derek Dooley outside Georgia stadium for 2026 US Senate bid

August 31, 2025
Trump touts ‘worker-first’ economy on Labor Day as internet speculation of his whereabouts spirals

Trump touts ‘worker-first’ economy on Labor Day as internet speculation of his whereabouts spirals

August 31, 2025
Trump slams Pritzker on Chicago crime as governor’s reported weight loss fuels 2028 speculation

Trump slams Pritzker on Chicago crime as governor’s reported weight loss fuels 2028 speculation

August 31, 2025
White House advances plan for Department of War as Trump looks to restore historical military title

White House advances plan for Department of War as Trump looks to restore historical military title

August 31, 2025
Don't Miss
How ‘clear protein’ is reshaping diets in the battle against belly fat

How ‘clear protein’ is reshaping diets in the battle against belly fat

Aaron Judge ties Yankees legend Yogi Berra with historic 358th career home run milestone

Aaron Judge ties Yankees legend Yogi Berra with historic 358th career home run milestone

Elite Americans shell out for ‘boat-tox’ and other on-demand personal care services

Elite Americans shell out for ‘boat-tox’ and other on-demand personal care services

Chicago sees 5 killed, 35 wounded over Labor Day weekend as Trump warns of Guard intervention: report

Chicago sees 5 killed, 35 wounded over Labor Day weekend as Trump warns of Guard intervention: report

Latest News
Ilhan Omar pushes for assault weapons ban in the wake of Minneapolis church shooting

Ilhan Omar pushes for assault weapons ban in the wake of Minneapolis church shooting

August 31, 2025
Comer requests Epstein suspicious activity reports from Treasury Dept

Comer requests Epstein suspicious activity reports from Treasury Dept

August 31, 2025
Trump renews pitch to get Roger Clemens into Hall of Fame: ‘If it were me, I’d sue them’

Trump renews pitch to get Roger Clemens into Hall of Fame: ‘If it were me, I’d sue them’

August 31, 2025
Canada and India Report Bird Flu Outbreaks

Canada and India Report Bird Flu Outbreaks

August 31, 2025
Trump trade counselor Peter Navarro rebukes ‘politicians in black robes’ over ‘partisan’ tariff ruling

Trump trade counselor Peter Navarro rebukes ‘politicians in black robes’ over ‘partisan’ tariff ruling

August 31, 2025
Copyright © 2025. Truth Republican. All rights reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Contact

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.