White House Unveils Space Nuclear Power Strategy

The White House unveiled a new national strategy Tuesday aimed at accelerating the development of nuclear power systems for space exploration and national security, directing federal agencies to deploy reactors in orbit as early as 2028 and on the lunar surface by 2030. The initiative, announced at the Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colorado, by Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, builds on a December executive order from President Donald Trump to ensure American superiority in space.

The six-page memorandum establishes the National Initiative for American Space Nuclear Power, calling for a coordinated effort among NASA, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Energy. It emphasizes nuclear power's role in providing reliable electricity, heating, and propulsion for long-duration missions, enabling a permanent robotic and human presence on the moon, Mars, and beyond. "Nuclear power in space will give us the sustained electricity, heating and propulsion essential to a permanent robotic and eventually human presence on the moon, on Mars and beyond," Kratsios said during his speech.

Under the plan, NASA and the Defense...