Can a nuclear reactor be placed on the Moon?
NASA Seeks Industry Partners for Lunar Nuclear Reactor Project
NASA has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to gauge industry interest in a groundbreaking project: the development of a nuclear reactor on the Moon. Known as the Fission Surface Power (FSP) system, this planned reactor aims to provide at least 100 kilowatts of electrical power on the Moon by the mid-2030s, supporting lunar exploration, future Mars missions, and strengthening national security in space.
The FSP system is part of NASA's Artemis program and its broader goals to establish a sustainable lunar economy and human presence on Mars. The project builds on over 60 years of NASA’s nuclear power development experience, including past contracts for fission system concepts awarded in 2022.
The reactor, scheduled for deployment in the mid-2030s, will have a mass of less than 15 metric tons and utilize a closed Brayton cycle power conversion system to convert heat into electricity. This system is the same one NASA has been exploring for nuclear electric propulsion on Mars missions.
The initiative aligns with the White House’s May 2025 Executive Order 14299, which advances nuclear reactor technologies for security purposes. The urgency of the program is highlighted in response to announced lunar reactor efforts by China and Russia, which could impact U.S. Artemis operations if not addressed promptly.
Interested parties must register their interest by a yet-to-be-determined deadline, with the August 2025 RFI marking the start of industry engagement. For the most current deadlines, interested industry partners are advised to refer directly to NASA's Glenn Research Center announcements or solicitations related to the FSP program.
It's important to note that the RFI is not an invitation to bid for the work, but could lead to a potential opportunity later this year. NASA has used nuclear power in the past, specifically for rovers and spacecraft, such as the Apollo missions which used Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) to power experiments on the lunar surface.
One intriguing fact related to the Apollo missions is that one container for plutonium from Apollo 13 is now at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, and no radiation release has been detected.
In summary, NASA's FSP system is a significant step towards a sustainable lunar economy and human presence on Mars, and industry partners are invited to join in this exciting journey. For the latest information on the FSP project and registration deadlines, interested parties are encouraged to visit NASA's Glenn Research Center announcements or solicitations.
Industry partners are invited to join NASA in developing the Fission Surface Power (FSP) system, a nuclear reactor intended for the Moon, which aligns with the White House's focus on advancing AI and technology for security purposes. This initiative follows over 60 years of NASA's nuclear power development, including the use of such power in past missions like the Apollo missions that employed Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs). Space-and-astronomy, science, and AI technology will all play crucial roles in this project, potentially leading to future Mars missions.
