The United States wants to bring nuclear energy to the moon. This has been confirmed by the Secretary of Transportation and Interim Administrator of the NASA, Shin Dafi, which this week will officially announce a plan to build a 100 kW nuclear reactor on lunar soil before the end of the decade. The information, advanced by politician, points out that the project is not only a technological commitment, but a strategic statement in a context of growing spatial rivalry.
According to filtered documents, NASA will establish a clearer calendar for this mission, with 60 days to appoint a project director and start receiving collaboration proposals from the nuclear industry. The objective: deploy energy capacity in the satellite that allows future permanent bases, longer missions and, above all, ensure a dominant presence against powers such as Russia and China.
It is not the first time that the American space agency flirts with this idea. There is already a project financed by NASA for a 40 KW reactor, whose development is expected to complete in the early 30s. But this new announcement elevates the bet and accelerates the times. According to Dafi's directive, “this is the next step that will surprise the world.”
In the background, this movement has a clear geopolitical reading. Experts point out that the first country to achieve a stable energy source on the Moon could establish exclusion areas around its facilities, limiting the operations of other powers. For the US, being behind is not an option.
Thus, the space race re -acquires an urgent and competitive tone. It's not only about exploring, but also positioning yourself. And this time, the pitch is beyond the Earth's orbit.
