USA Unveils Space Nuclear Power Plan, Targets Moon Reactor by 2030 
In April 2026, the United States of America (USA)’s Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) formally launched the National Space Technology Memorandum-3 (NSTM-3), a national initiative to advance space nuclear power, targeting deployment of low- to mid-power reactors in orbit, on the Moon and Mars in the 2030s.
Key Details of Guidelines:
Moon Reactor: As per the newly launched nuclear space programme, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has been tasked to start a programme within 30 days to develop a mid-power reactor with lunar surface version expected to launch by 2030.
Orbital Reactor : The USA’s Department of Defense has been tasked with developing a mission-ready in-space reactor by 2031, subject to funding.
Key Role of DOE: The USA’s Department of Energy (DOE) is required to assess within 60 days whether the USA reactor industry can build  up to 4 space reactors within 5 years.