The Trump administration has unveiled an ambitious new strategy to dramatically expand the use of nuclear power in space, laying the groundwork for a sustained human and technological presence beyond Earth, including future crewed missions and long‑duration operations on Mars.
Nuclear fission systems can provide constant, high-density power for years without refueling, supporting life support systems, communications, and scientific research.
The administration argues that reliable surface power is a prerequisite for long-duration human missions and a “permanent presence” on the moon and Mars, particularly as the U.S. races against geopolitical competitors also investing in space nuclear technology.
Outlined in a memorandum released on Tuesday, the plan directs NASA, the Department of War, the Department of Energy and other federal agencies to accelerate the development and deployment of space‑based nuclear reactors capable of powering missions far beyond current limits. The memo frames space nuclear power as “mission‑enabling” for U.S. exploration and science and national security goals.
“The United States will lead the world in developing and deploying space nuclear power for exploration, commerce, and defense,” the memo said.
“Agencies will establish cost-effective partnerships with private-sector innovators to meet near-term objectives that include safely deploying nuclear reactors in orbit as early as 2028 and on the moon as early as 2030. Achieving these near-term objectives will establish technological viability essential to unlocking space exploration, commerce, and defense applications.”
Newsweek reached out to the White House by email for comment.
The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy announced the plan in a post on X on Tuesday morning.
“Today, we are releasing new guidance to Federal agencies for establishing a National Initiative for American Space Nuclear Power, as called for by President Trump’s EO on Ensuring American Space Superiority,” the post said. “Nuclear power in space will give us the sustained electricity, heating, and propulsion essential to a permanent presence on the Moon, Mars, and beyond.”
High-power reactors will be deployed in the 2030s, the memo said. The memo unveils an immediate and long-term plan for establishing nuclear power in space.
The Department of War is positioned as a co‑lead alongside NASA in accelerating space nuclear power, with responsibilities that go beyond advisory support, including contributing funding to NASA’s development of the space nuclear power systems. Under the memo, the department is tasked with running design and development efforts alongside NASA to accelerate low‑ and mid‑power nuclear systems for use in orbit and on planetary surfaces.
NASA is ordered to launch a new program within 30 days to develop a mid‑power space nuclear reactor, including a lunar fission surface power variant ready for launch by 2030. The agency is also instructed to pursue an option for a nuclear electric propulsion demonstration, which could eventually enable faster and more efficient deep-space travel.
Looking further ahead, the memo calls for preparing high‑power reactors suitable for Mars and other deep-space applications in the 2030s, signaling that lunar deployment is meant to serve as a proving ground for eventual Mars missions.
Update 4/14/2026, 11:53 a.m. Eastern time: This article was updated with additional information.