Duffy to announce nuclear reactor on the moon [View all]

Source: Politico

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy will announce expedited plans this week to build a nuclear reactor on the moon, the first major action by the former Fox News host as the interim NASA administrator.

NASA has discussed building a reactor on the lunar surface, but this would set a more definitive timeline — according to documents obtained by POLITICO — and come just as the agency faces a massive budget cut. The move also underscores how Duffy, who faced pushback from lawmakers about handling two jobs, wants to play a role in NASA policymaking.

“It is about winning the second space race,” said a NASA senior official, granted anonymity to discuss the documents ahead of their wider release.

President Donald Trump named Duffy as interim administrator in July after abruptly withdrawing the nomination of billionaire Jared Isaacman amid a spat with the nominee’s ally, Elon Musk.

Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/04/nasa-china-space-station-duffy-directives-00492172