14 April 2026 2014, the White House released the policy, which commissions NASA, Pentagon and the Ministry of Energy to develop space nuclear power systems, which can be launched already in 2028 year. Nuclear energy in space will ensure a stable power supply, heating and traction, necessary for permanent robotic, and over time, the human presence on the Moon, Marcy and beyond.
According to the director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy of the White House (OSTP) Michael Kratsios, new policy "creates a road map for the federal government to develop and deploy nuclear reactors on the moon and in orbit". The six-page memorandum "NSTM-3" defines the directions of the competitive selection of projects by NASA and the Ministry of Defense. The document envisages the testing and operation of space reactors of small and medium power in the near future (as in orbit, as well as on the lunar surface), laying the groundwork for the introduction of high-power installations in the 2030s. NASA is tasked with starting work during 30 days above a space reactor of medium power for operation on the surface of the Moon. The agency is proposed to cooperate with several companies on reactor projects, including low power system, which produces only one kilowatt, "if it provides lower cost and schedule risks".
According to the policy, NASA must select no more than two projects in one year for further development, with priority on systems, which can later be scaled up to 100 kilowatt and more. The Ministry of Defense is obliged to submit a report to the White House within 90 days on the possibilities of operation and payload of space nuclear systems of various capacities. The Ministry of Energy will provide expertise and must during 60 days to provide an assessment of the readiness of the nuclear industrial base. It will also conduct "interdisciplinary and mission-independent" research and development of space nuclear energy technologies.
NASA has already begun work on nuclear technology, that comply with this policy, When 24 announced the Space Reactor mission in March (SR) 1 Freedom. The mission will demonstrate nuclear electric propulsion using a 20-kilowatt reactor and electric propulsion system, originally developed for Gateway.
Source: https://spacenews.com