The United States space agency, NASA, has outlined the initial phase of a bold plan to create small nuclear reactors that could power missions to the Moon and Mars. The goal is to establish reliable energy systems that support long-term human presence beyond Earth. NASA announced this roadmap as part of a multi-year effort aimed at advancing compact, safe, and efficient power sources for deep space exploration and sustained operations.
In 2022 NASA awarded contracts totaling five million dollars to stimulate development across several interlinked technologies. The program directs partners to tackle core subsystems that would make a compact reactor viable: the reactor core, energy conversion methods, heat removal schemes, control architectures, and robust power distribution networks. The overarching aim is to enable a sustainable outpost on the Moon that could operate for at least a decade while serving scientific stations, habitat modules, rovers, and essential support systems.
The specified design envelope requires the system to weigh no more than six tons and to generate around 40 kilowatts of electric power. Meeting these targets would ensure a stable energy backbone for residential modules, research facilities, surface exploration vehicles, and critical backup networks on lunar surfaces or later on Mars.
Participating NASA contractors include Lockheed Martin, Westinghouse, and IX, a joint venture combining Intuitive Machines with X-Energy. These collaborations bring together advanced aerospace engineering, nuclear technology, and space mission know-how to address safety, reliability, and scalability challenges inherent in compact space reactors.
NASA has projected that after completing the second phase, the reactor could be delivered to the Moon in the early 2030s. Following deployment, a one-year test period would precede roughly nine years of routine operation, gathering performance data and validating life-support and power systems in a real lunar environment. If successful, the design is expected to be adaptable for future missions to Mars, expanding the reach of human exploration.
Earlier research in this field has focused on developing materials and shielding capable of withstanding high-temperature plasma and radiation, ensuring reactor integrity under demanding space conditions. This foundational work supports ongoing iterations that balance safety, weight, and efficiency as the project moves toward full-scale deployment.