White House Memorandum Outlines Plan for Space Nuclear Reactors by 2030

# White House Issues Directive for Nuclear Reactor Development in Space Exploration The White House announced a plan to fast-track nuclear power development in space on an unspecified date in 2026. The plan lays out a detailed road map with firm agency roles and time frames to put nuclear reactors on the moon and in orbit within the next decade from 2026.

The directive establishes the National Initiative for American Space Nuclear Power.

The National Initiative for American Space Nuclear Power is a coordinated effort led by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. The memorandum assigns concrete responsibilities and deadlines to federal agencies. The Trump administration is directing NASA and the Department of Defense to run parallel design competitions for low- to mid-level power reactors.

Initiative Builds on Prior Executive Order The new guidelines build on President Donald Trump’s executive order to ensure space superiority.

The executive order set a goal of deploying space-based nuclear reactors by 2030. The competitions aim to prepare high-powered reactors for deployment by 2030. NASA announced in August 2025 that it would develop a lunar reactor.

The lunar reactor development supports U.S. space goals amid international efforts, including those by China and Russia. Near-term objectives include deploying nuclear reactors in orbit as early as 2028 and on the moon as early as 2030.

Statements from OSTP Director OSTP Director Michael Kratsios stated on social media that nuclear power could enable sustained human presence in space, while experts note potential challenges in deployment.

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