NASA plans to accelerate the construction of a nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2030, driven by a space race with China and Russia. This ambitious project, aiming to power a permanent lunar base, faces challenges due to recent budget cuts and safety concerns. While some scientists question the feasibility and timeframe, others believe it's the only reliable way to provide continuous power on the Moon, given its two-week day-night cycle. The project involves securing proposals from commercial companies to build a reactor capable of generating at least 100 kilowatts.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.