NASA plans to install nuclear reactor near moon's south pole by 2030

NASA aims to install a 20 kilowatt nuclear reactor near the moon's south pole by 2030 to supply continuous power for lunar base operations.

The reactor can produce electricity regardless of solar illumination, supporting plans to extract water ice and generate oxygen rocket propellants from polar craters.

While geopolitical urgency surrounds scarce suitable land, technical hurdles include radiation shielding, heat dissipation, and preventing moondust contamination.