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

NASA’s interim chief Sean Duffy has made deploying a nuclear reactor on the Moon his top priority, framing the effort as a "second space race". Washington hopes to beat Beijing and Moscow to powering a future lunar base with nuclear energy.

A nuclear reactor on the Moon is no longer science fiction. Under the bold leadership of Sean Duffy, NASA is fast-tracking plans to launch a powerful nuclear power system to the lunar surface. This mission marks the beginning of a new era of space energy,