NASA and the US Department of Energy (DOE) have signed a new agreement to accelerate the development of nuclear power and propulsion technologies for future space missions
The agreement was signed at the start of October during the Science: A Golden Age Summit in Washington, and it establishes a framework for closer collaboration between the two agencies.
Could nuclear power transform space exploration?
Nuclear technology could play a vital role in enabling spacecraft to travel farther, operate longer, and support more demanding scientific missions. Unlike solar power, nuclear energy can provide a reliable source of electricity in locations where sunlight is limited, including the permanently shadowed regions of the Moon.
The partnership builds on existing cooperation between NASA and the DOE on fission reactors and radioisotope power systems. Safety will remain a central priority throughout the development and deployment of these technologies.
The agreement is also intended to strengthen the domestic nuclear and space industries, supporting the development of technologies that could eventually benefit applications on Earth.
Moon base plans for 2030
A major objective is developing a lunar surface reactor by 2030, following a US executive order issued in December 2025. The reactor would provide a dependable energy supply for future lunar exploration and help support a sustained human presence on the Moon.
NASA plans to launch Space Reactor-1 Freedom in 2028, marking an important step toward operational nuclear propulsion in deep space. The agency is also developing Lunar Reactor-1, a fission-powered surface energy system designed to support a future Moon Base.
These systems could supply electricity to lunar habitats, communications networks, scientific instruments, rovers and other essential infrastructure, including during the long lunar night.
Nuclear technology could support missions beyond the Moon
Nuclear power is also expected to support space exploration. NASA’s Dragonfly mission to Saturn’s Moon Titan is scheduled to launch in 2028. The rotorcraft will use a Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator and 24 lightweight radioisotope heater units to generate electricity and maintain suitable operating temperatures.
Dragonfly will explore multiple locations on Titan to investigate its environment and potential habitability.
Meanwhile, NASA and the DOE plan to support the European Space Agency’s Rosalind Franklin Mars rover by providing 24 radioisotope heater units. These will help protect the rover’s instruments from Mars’s extreme cold as it investigates the planet’s potential to have supported life.
A new way of exploring space
This partnership is the next step toward making nuclear technology a cornerstone of future space missions. By combining research, engineering, and fuel-production expertise, NASA and the DOE aim to develop reliable energy systems that can support long-duration exploration.
From establishing a lasting presence on the Moon to preparing for human missions to Mars, nuclear power could help overcome some of the biggest challenges facing the next generation of space exploration.
