New internal documents reveal that the U.S. space agency NASA is planning to build a nuclear reactor on the surface of the moon.

NASA intends to invite concrete proposals from companies within 60 days to build a 100-kilowatt reactor, scheduled to begin operation by 2030, according to the news outlet Politico on Monday.

Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy is expected to officially announce these plans in the coming days.

The project comes amid growing competition with China, which also aims to launch its first manned lunar mission around the same period.

A Russian Idea Proposed Years Ago:

The reactor would provide a stable power source for future lunar missions, especially during the lunar night, which lasts about two weeks and renders solar energy unavailable.

Additionally, the United States is aiming to return astronauts to the moon for the first time in over 50 years as part of the Artemis program. NASA plans to land a crew on the lunar surface in 2027.

However, the timeline has been delayed several times, and it remains unclear whether President Donald Trump will continue his support for the initiative.