US Minister of Transport Shon Dafi, who has recently appointed NASA's interim headquarters, will announce an accelerated program to build a nuclear reactor on the moon. This step will be his first significant initiative in a new position. Politico reports.
NASA has previously discussed such a project, but Dafi's instruction creates clear deadlines, before 2030, send 100 kilowatt reactors. The goal is to strengthen the US positions in the universe, especially against the background of the joint moon programs of China and Russia.
The project implies the involvement of the private sector, and NASA plans to receive offers within the next 60 days. This happens when the agency is growing large budget reductions at the same time by increasing the funding of passenger flights.
In addition, Dafi also instructed to accelerate the replacement of the International Space Station with private stations. NASA intends to sign a contract with at least two companies in 6 months and send a new space station to 2030.
These initiatives are in line with the goals of the Trump administration, strengthen the presence of the United States on the moon and by winning the "Second Space Race".
