Nukes in Space

An artist's concept of possible nuclear fission reactors on the Moon. Credit: NASA

NASA is building a nuclear reactor for the Moon by 2030 — and testing the nuclear propulsion that could carry humans to Mars in the decade after — under a new directive that revives a space-nuclear ambition the agency has been quietly chasing since Apollo

May 25, 2026

An artist's concept of possible nuclear fission reactors on the Moon. Credit: NASA By Editorial Team, Published by Space Daily, 25 May 2026 NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy announced, on January 13, 2026, that they had signed a memorandum of understanding committing the two agencies to the development

Nuclear-Powered Rockets — NASA Plans First Launch in 2028

April 17, 2026

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| Mars missions, NASA, Nukes in Space

By Karl Grossman, Published by Daily Kos, 17 April, 2025 NASA got through the Artemis II mission last week with a few minor “anomalies,” as NASA calls problems, but in 2028 it plans to launch a nuclear-powered rocket to Mars as an initial step to using nuclear-powered rockets in space.

NASA is building the first nuclear reactor-powered interplanetary spacecraft. How will it work?

April 14, 2026

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| Artemis, China, Mars missions, Moon missions, NASA, Nukes in Space, Russia, Space Station

SR-1 Freedom Mars flyby: NASA By Robin George Andrews, Published by MIT Technology Review, 14 April 2026 Just before Artemis II began its historic slingshot around the moon, Jared Isaacman, the recently confirmed NASA administrator, made a flurry of announcements from the agency’s headquarters in Washington, DC. He said the

Is COPUOS at a turning point? Governing space in a new era

April 14, 2026

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| Dual and Commercial Use, Environmental/Health Concerns, Maneuverability, Moon missions, Nukes in Space, Satellites, Space Debris and Overcrowding, Space Strategy, Space Treaties

A meeting of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS). Credit: United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs By Frederick Jenet, David Schuman, Cecilia I. Silberberg, Danica Vallone and Paul Wunderl, Published by Space News, 14 April 2026 The 63rd Session of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee

NASA announces ‘near‑impossible’ space plans, including $20B moon base and humanity’s first nuclear-powered interplanetary spacecraft

March 26, 2026

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| Artemis, Mars missions, Moon missions, NASA, Nukes in Space

A concept for a later phase of NASA's proposed lunar base. Credit: NASA By Patrick Pester, Published by Live Science, 25 March 2026 NASA's Gateway lunar space station won't launch next year in new changes to the Artemis program, which include ramping up development of a $20 billion moon base

Deep space, dim objects: Why asteroid mining caught the Space Force’s eye

February 5, 2026

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| Cislunar, Dual and Commercial Use, ISS, Mining, NASA, Nukes in Space, Space Force

Asteroids contain mind-boggling amounts of valuable metals – like 16 Psyche, seen here, which holds massive reserves of iron. (NASA/JPL-Caltech) By Sandra Erwin, Published by Space News, 5 February 2026 A niche corner of the commercial space sector is attracting attention from United States national security planners, not because of

UK lunar reactor dream on hold as Rolls-Royce struggles to find launch support

February 2, 2026

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| Moon missions, NASA, Nukes in Space, Russia, UK

Nuclear Space Micro-Reactor Concept Model. By Mrigakshi Dixit, Published by Interesting Engineering, 2 February 2026 The UK Space Agency’s ambitious dream of establishing a nuclear-powered Moon base has dimmed. Reports suggest that Rolls-Royce has placed its lunar micro-reactor development on indefinite hold after government funding expired. Despite receiving £9m in

U.S. Space Command to bring commercial firms into classified wargame on nuclear threats in space

January 28, 2026

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| Dual and Commercial Use, Nukes in Space, Russia, Space Command, Space Treaties, War Gaming

A military exercise known as Southern Star integrates across space and cyber domains. Credit: U.S. Space Command By Sandra Erwin, Published by Space News, 28 January 2026 Upcoming tabletop exercise will examine response to weapons of mass destruction in orbit ORLANDO, Fla. — U.S. Space Command will, for the first

Nukes in Space

NASA is building a nuclear reactor for the Moon by 2030 — and testing the nuclear propulsion that could carry humans to Mars in the decade after — under a new directive that revives a space-nuclear ambition the agency has been quietly chasing since Apollo

Nuclear-Powered Rockets — NASA Plans First Launch in 2028

NASA is building the first nuclear reactor-powered interplanetary spacecraft. How will it work?

Is COPUOS at a turning point? Governing space in a new era

NASA announces ‘near‑impossible’ space plans, including $20B moon base and humanity’s first nuclear-powered interplanetary spacecraft

Deep space, dim objects: Why asteroid mining caught the Space Force’s eye

UK lunar reactor dream on hold as Rolls-Royce struggles to find launch support

U.S. Space Command to bring commercial firms into classified wargame on nuclear threats in space

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