US Rushes to Install Nuclear Reactor on Moon Before Rivals

As of August 2025, a new and dramatic space race is unfolding between the world's superpowers. NASA's newly appointed administrator, Sean Duffy, has revealed plans to install an American nuclear reactor on the Moon before the end of the decade. This would allow the US to declare a 'keep-out zone' on the lunar surface, protecting a future American moon base as part of the Artemis program.

However, the US is not the only country with its sights set on the Moon. Just last May, China and Russia signed an agreement to build their own nuclear reactor on the Moon, targeting completion by 2036. This has set the stage for a head-to-head race between the three superpowers to be the first to establish a permanent presence on the lunar surface.

Experts warn that this new space race carries significant risks, as the competing 'keep-out zones' could spark conflict between the nations. While the Outer Space Treaty prohibits national appropriation of celestial bodies, the US's Artemis Accords have created a legal framework that gives countries the power to claim exclusive rights over areas of the Moon. This 'first mover advantage' could lead to a dangerous scramble to secure the most valuable lunar real estate.