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On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first human to step on the moon, changing the course of space exploration forever.
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On the geopolitical front, however, the Apollo 11 mission marked the US’s victory in the space race against its Cold War rival, the erstwhile Soviet Union.
Image: wikipedia.org/ Public domain
Over three decades later, the world is headed for another space race, and this one is about building on the Moon.
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NASA’s new interim administrator, Sean Duffy, reportedly suggested that a US nuclear reactor would be operational on the moon by 2030.
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While this might seem sudden, NASA and the US Department of Energy have been quietly working on small nuclear power systems to power lunar and martian bases for mining operations and long-term habitation.
Image: NASA
This 40-kilowatt fission power system, sufficient to power 30 households continuously for 10 years, provides power regardless of location, weather conditions, or the availability of sunlight and natural resources.
Image: NASA/Concept image
While this fission power system was set to be launched to the Moon by the early 2030s, Sean Duffy is set to announce a more ambitious directive.
Image: Shutterstock/representative image
According to POLITICO, the reactor directive (yet to be released) orders NASA to solicit industry proposals for a 100-kilowatt nuclear reactor for launch by the year 2030.
Image: Shutterstock/representative image
The report comes amid China’s plan to build a nuclear plant on the lunar surface by 2035, in partnership with Russia, to power the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS).
Image: Shutterstock/representative image
Building a nuclear outpost on the Moon is more than just about winning the second space race; the first nation to do so could declare a “keep-out zone”, as per POLITICO.
Image: Shutterstock/representative image
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