The Trump administration is taking a major step in America’s renewed push for space dominance, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy — now also serving as interim NASA Administrator — announcing plans to deploy a 100-kilowatt nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2030, according to Politico.
The directive marks the first major policy shift at NASA under Duffy’s leadership, as the U.S. accelerates efforts to outpace China and Russia in what many are calling a “second space race.”
Duffy: “This Is About Winning”
In a memo obtained by The Independent, Duffy warned that the first nation to deploy a nuclear power source on the lunar surface could declare a “keep-out zone,” obstructing American plans to establish long-term operations under the Artemis program.
“The first country to do so could potentially declare a keep-out zone which would significantly inhibit the United States from establishing a planned Artemis presence if not there first,” Duffy wrote.
Duffy’s directive dissolves NASA’s previous 40-kilowatt Fission Surface Power project, replacing it with a more powerful 100-kW design. A project executive must be appointed within 30 days, with private-sector proposals due within 60 days, and contracts awarded by year’s end.
America’s Next Great Leap: Artemis
In a post on X, Duffy rallied support for Artemis II, which will send astronauts around the Moon for the first time in over five decades.
“America rallied behind Apollo because it represented the best of us – now it’s Artemis’ turn,” Duffy wrote.“They’re not just carrying a flag – they’re carrying the pride, power, and promise of the United States of America.”
The Artemis program is central to President Trump’s vision of American space leadership, aiming not only for a sustained presence on the Moon but eventual crewed missions to Mars.
Pushback and Budget Realignment
Duffy’s expanded role has faced pushback from some lawmakers, citing concerns about one official holding two high-profile federal roles. But insiders say Duffy’s intent is clear: to shape the direction of U.S. space policy decisively.
“It is about winning the second space race,” said a senior NASA official speaking anonymously to Politico.
The directive also includes efforts to speed up replacement of the International Space Station (ISS), another critical NASA objective. These moves align with the Trump administration’s focus on crew-led space exploration, not bureaucratic stagnation.
Budget Priorities: Human Spaceflight First
The Trump White House is proposing a 2026 NASA budget that increases funding for crewed missions, while trimming programs unrelated to strategic national interest — including science missions, which could face nearly 50% cuts.
Critics have called the cuts “controversial,” but supporters say it’s a necessary realignment to prioritize what matters: space superiority, national security, and exploration leadership.
Background
President Trump appointed Duffy as interim NASA chief in July, following his decision to withdraw the nomination of billionaire Jared Isaacman, a Musk ally, amid a disagreement with SpaceX leadership.
