Apr 15, 2026 04:50 AM
https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/up...rected.pdf
Jared is a big nuclear power in space guy and he likes it: "The time has come for America to get underway on nuclear power in space."
https://x.com/NASAAdmin/status/2044056202045477261
It envisions parallel NASA and Department of War/Space Force design competitions.
NASA
NASA will, within 30 days, begin design and development of a lunar fission surface power (FSP) reactor, with an option for a nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) reactor variant. In conjunction with private developers, NASA will proceed through a preliminary design review and early ground tests where necessary. Reactor designs should emphasize mid-size reactors, with options for smaller reactors if they offer lower cost and less time risk. The design should also be expandable to higher power reactors.
Within a year, NASA should down-select the two best designs, based on their assessed ability to meet cost, schedule and technical requirements. To the maximal extent possible, NASA should emphasize common nuclear thermal propulsion and nuclear electric propulsion components, such as shielding, radiation hardened instrumentation and controls and so on.
NASA should work with DoW to share costs and information.
Department of War
DoW will pursue deployment of mid-size space reactors by 2031, contingent on funding.
Within 90 days the DoW will brief the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, Office of Management and Budget and the National Security Council on operationally relevant use cases for a mid power space reactor.
During the first year, DoW will contribute its funding to NASA's design studies.
Beginning in the second year, DoW should start work with at least two competing vendors. DoW should encourage proposals from the suppliers of NASA's two selected designs, so as to avoid duplication of efforts.
Again, DoW should be prepared to share costs and information with NASA.
Department of Energy
Should be ready to work with NASA and DoW to achieve these objectives. To this end they must provide an assessment of the US nuclear industrial industry to produce up to four space reactors in five years, including design, long-lead components and nuclear fuel. Coordinate with NASA and DoW on research and development and ground testing. Provide nuclear safety and security analysis.
Jared is a big nuclear power in space guy and he likes it: "The time has come for America to get underway on nuclear power in space."
https://x.com/NASAAdmin/status/2044056202045477261
It envisions parallel NASA and Department of War/Space Force design competitions.
NASA
NASA will, within 30 days, begin design and development of a lunar fission surface power (FSP) reactor, with an option for a nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) reactor variant. In conjunction with private developers, NASA will proceed through a preliminary design review and early ground tests where necessary. Reactor designs should emphasize mid-size reactors, with options for smaller reactors if they offer lower cost and less time risk. The design should also be expandable to higher power reactors.
Within a year, NASA should down-select the two best designs, based on their assessed ability to meet cost, schedule and technical requirements. To the maximal extent possible, NASA should emphasize common nuclear thermal propulsion and nuclear electric propulsion components, such as shielding, radiation hardened instrumentation and controls and so on.
NASA should work with DoW to share costs and information.
Department of War
DoW will pursue deployment of mid-size space reactors by 2031, contingent on funding.
Within 90 days the DoW will brief the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, Office of Management and Budget and the National Security Council on operationally relevant use cases for a mid power space reactor.
During the first year, DoW will contribute its funding to NASA's design studies.
Beginning in the second year, DoW should start work with at least two competing vendors. DoW should encourage proposals from the suppliers of NASA's two selected designs, so as to avoid duplication of efforts.
Again, DoW should be prepared to share costs and information with NASA.
Department of Energy
Should be ready to work with NASA and DoW to achieve these objectives. To this end they must provide an assessment of the US nuclear industrial industry to produce up to four space reactors in five years, including design, long-lead components and nuclear fuel. Coordinate with NASA and DoW on research and development and ground testing. Provide nuclear safety and security analysis.