Overview
- The White House’s NSTM-3 policy, unveiled Tuesday at the Space Symposium, launches a National Initiative for American Space Nuclear Power with targets to fly reactors in orbit by 2028 and on the Moon by 2030.
- NASA must start within 30 days on a mid‑power reactor that produces at least 20 kilowatts of electricity, build a lunar surface power version, and keep an option open for a nuclear electric propulsion demonstration.
- The Defense Department has 90 days to brief on use‑cases for space reactors and, pending funding, is directed to pursue a mission‑enabling mid‑power orbital reactor by 2031.
- The Department of Energy has 60 days to assess whether U.S. industry can deliver up to four space reactors within five years, while agencies are told to lean on fixed‑price contracts and parallel vendor competitions to speed development.
- Experts warn the timelines are aggressive and cite hurdles such as fuel supply, long‑lead components, launch safety approvals, and funding, even as officials note reactors can power bases through two‑week lunar nights where solar falls short.