Trying to get a nuclear reactor on the surface of the moon is going to take time – maybe much longer more than NASA wants. Julia Musto reports

NASA plans to establish a continuous lunar presence by 2030 with a nuclear reactor, crucial for powering habitats and operations during long lunar nights. This initiative supports the Artemis program and addresses the limitations of solar power in shadowed regions.

Placing an atomic energy source on the lunar surface is “not science fiction,” experts say, but does pose technical challenges.