Powering the Moon Interim NASA administrator Sean Duffy announced that President Trump wants to place a small modular reactor (SMR) on the moon by 2030. The plan aims to secure U.S. dominance in the lunar economy and counter China and Russia’s joint plans for a similar reactor by the mid-2030s.

Politico reported late Monday that Transportation Secretary and interim NASA head Duffy will announce this week expedited plans for a nuclear reactor on the moon. According to documents reviewed by Politico, the Trump White House is ordering the agency to solicit industry proposals for a 100 kilowatt nuclear reactor to launch by 2030.

Trump's new Nasa chief is expected to announce plans to build a nuclear reactor on the moon this week. While Nasa explored the possibility in the past, Sean Duffy, the US Transport Secretary and temporary Nasa administrator,