Nasa races to build nuclear reactor on the moon to keep astronauts in space

Nasa is in a race to put a nuclear reactor on the moon to power its lunar exploration.

The space agency had been working on plans for a fission surface power project that would provide the moon with at least 40 kilowatts of power — enough to continuously run 30 households for 10 years.

But Nasa's acting administrator has now directed the agency to fast-track its plans to put the US ahead of China and Russia.

China and Russia have previously announced plans to develop a similar project together by the mid-2030s.

“We’re in a race to the moon, in a race with China to the moon,” Acting Nasa administrator Sean Duffy said.

“And to have a base on the moon, we need energy.

“If we’re going to be able to sustain life on the moon, to then go to Mars, this technology is critically important.”

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