NASA plans to place a nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2030. Choosing a location is a key issue

NASA aims to place a nuclear reactor on the surface of the Moon by 2030, according to acting administrator Sean Duffy. As Space reports, this move will allow the United States to stay ahead of China, which plans to land its first taikonaut on the Moon around the same time.

In addition to the geopolitical advantage, a constant source of energy is critical for future missions to Mars, where solar energy is significantly weaker. A nuclear reactor will provide the stable power supply needed to establish a lunar base and potentially a permanent human presence. It will make it possible to survive the cold and long lunar nights.

For long-term stays outside Earth, it is extremely important to learn how to use local resources. NASA plans to use nuclear energy to extract and process resources on the Moon, which will significantly reduce dependence on supplies from Earth.

Where plans to install the reactor

One of the key questions for NASA is where to put the reactor. It needs to be close to water ice deposits, which could be a key resource for both life support and fuel production.

According to orbital missions, the most promising locations are permanently shadowed craters at the Moon’s poles, where scientists believe water ice may be present.

To be useful, the reactor must be located near ice deposits that are accessible for extraction and processing. However, there is currently insufficient detailed data to identify such a location.

Another problem is the impact of lunar soil, which rises during the landing of space equipment. Regolith particles can damage equipment if it is located too close.

Experts are considering temporary protection options, such as placing the reactor behind natural boulders or beyond the horizon. However, NASA plans to build special launch and landing pads in the future, which will reduce the risks to infrastructure.

NASA emphasizes that the exploration of the Moon will serve as training for expeditions to Mars. The creation of an energy and engineering base on Earth’s satellite will allow for the development of technologies that will ensure human survival in deep space in the future.

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