The directive, first reported by Politico<\/a>, mentions China<\/a> and Russia<\/a>\u2019s joint effort to place a reactor on the moon by the mid-2030s. The two U.S. adversaries first announced their plans in March 2024. <\/p>\n \u201cThe first country to do so could potentially declare a keep-out zone which would significantly inhibit the United States from establishing a planned Artemis presence if not there first,\u201d Duffy warned in the directive. <\/p>\n NASA is working with the Energy Department and the broader space industry to design a fission power system that would provide at least 40 kilowatts of power. The space agency has already mentioned the benefits of developing fission surface power (FSP) on the moon and Mars. <\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n NASA chief Sean Duffy has expedited the timeline to build a nuclear reactor on the moon, according to a new directive (Chip Somodevilla\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n \u201cRelatively small and lightweight, fission systems are powerful and could enable robust operations on the Moon and Mars,\u201d NASA states on its website.<\/p>\n NASA\u2019s Artemis campaign aims to establish the first long-term presence on the moon. <\/p>\n During Trump\u2019s inaugural address, he said the U.S. would launch astronauts \u201cto plant the stars and stripes on the planet Mars.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt is about winning the second space race,\u201d a NASA senior official also told Politico.<\/p>\n In Duffy\u2019s new timeline, a Fission Surface Power Program Executive will be designated within 30 days of the directive. The executive \u201cis empowered to provide reporting and updates with maximum transparency directly to the Administrator,\u201d the NASA chief wrote.<\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n An artist\u2019s concept of a fission power system on the moon (NASA)<\/p>\n Within 60 days, NASA will ask for industry proposals for the nuclear reactor, according to the directive. <\/p>\n The directive mentioned Trump\u2019s budget request for the 2026 fiscal year, which includes $350 million for a new program \u201cthat will accelerate the development of high priority technologies for Mars, (i.e. FSP).\u201d<\/p>\n The funding would increase up to $500 million starting in 2027. <\/p>\n![\"NASA](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1754450711_401_GettyImages-2225385721.jpg\")
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