iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy set a goal on January 13, 2026, to develop a lunar surface reactor by 2030. NASA’s program page describes a 40-kilowatt-class system for the early 2030s. China and Russia, meanwhile, have outlined a broader lunar research station plan, with NASA characterizing their announced reactor target as the mid-2030s. These are competing announced goals—not evidence that either side has a completed reactor ready to fly.
Why put a nuclear reactor on the Moon?
A surface fission system could provide sustained power without depending on sunlight. That matters for missions that need to operate through the lunar night or at sites where solar generation alone may not meet the need for continuous energy. The Department of Energy has cited lunar-night conditions and plans for sustained operations near the south pole among the reasons to develop fission power.
This does not mean solar power is unusable across the Moon. The best power architecture depends on a mission’s location, duration, and energy demands. Fission is being pursued as an option for sustained operations, not as proof that every lunar mission needs a reactor.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Fission surface power is also different from radioisotope power systems used on some robotic spacecraft. The NASA-DOE effort discussed here is about developing a surface fission power system.
#1 Best Overall
- Luminous DIY Arc Reactor Model: This DIY assembly kit features a bright blue LED light. The finished MK1 Arc Reactor emits an impressive glow, making it a standout piece for desk decorations or computer case modifications
- Engaging DIY Assembly Kit: The arc reactor model comes as a disassembled kit with detailed instructions. Enjoy the hands-on building experience, with spare essential components included for a successful assembly
- USB-Powered with Acrylic Stand: Includes a USB power cable with a convenient on/off switch and a clear acrylic display stand. Easily power the light-up reactor via any 5V adapter, power bank, or computer
- Versatile Creative Decor: Perfect as a unique nightlight or for various projects like electric vehicle lighting upgrades. This LED arc reactor kit sparks creativity, allowing you to personalize your space
- Assembly & Power Requirements: Glue is required (not included) for assembly. The MK1 reactor model requires a standard 5V USB charging adapter (not included) to illuminate the blue light
What has NASA and the DOE actually announced?
A 2030 development goal
On January 13, 2026, NASA and DOE announced renewed cooperation and a goal to develop a lunar surface reactor by 2030. That is an agency objective, not confirmation that a flight-ready reactor has been built, selected, or launched. The announcement describes strengthened interagency collaboration; it is not itself a contract award.
A 40-kilowatt-class system for the early 2030s
NASA’s Fission Surface Power program page describes work with DOE and industry to design, fabricate, and test a 40-kilowatt-class system intended to operate on the Moon in the early 2030s. The 40-kilowatt figure is the stated system class, not a verified rating for hardware operating on the lunar surface.
Rank #2
- HOBBY MODEL KIT – Unassembled model packed in an envelope with easy to follow instructions. Ideal for ages 14 and up
- NO GLUE OR SOLDER NEEDED – Parts can be easily clipped from the metal sheets. Tweezers are the recommended tool for bending and twisting the connection tabs
- APOLLO LUNAR MODULE – 2 Sheet Model with a moderate difficulty level. Once assembled, dimensions are 2.34 x 2.34 x 2.15 inches.
- FROM STEEL SHEETS TO 3D – Pop out the pieces and connect using tabs and holes. Includes illustrated instructions
- HIGHLY DETAILED ETCHED MODEL – Display your 3D model once completed - collect and build them all
The 2030 goal and the early-2030s program description are distinct statements. The former is the goal in the January 2026 NASA-DOE announcement; the latter is NASA’s broader program-page description. Neither establishes a confirmed launch date.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Earlier concept work, not a final flight selection
NASA’s 2023 program update says the agency awarded three contracts in 2022, each worth $5 million, for initial concept designs. Those concepts covered the reactor, power conversion, heat rejection, power management and distribution, cost estimates, and development schedules. NASA’s earlier planning described a target of reaching the launch pad in the early 2030s after Phase 2.
Rank #3
- Exquisite Appearance: This is a simple MK1 Arc Reactor model with an integrated blue LED light that emits an impressive glow, whether during the day or at night.
- Disassembled Kit: This reactor comes as a DIY assembly kit with a detailed instruction to ensure you can successfully complete the assembly.
- Complete Accessories: Including a USB power cable with a switch and a simple acrylic stand. Additionally, essential components come with spares for replacement in case of damage during assembly.
- Home Decor Piece: Used for various creative projects, such as computer case modifications, electric vehicle lighting upgrades, or as a unique nightlight or desk decoration. Arouse your creativity and imagination to personalize your decor.
- Notes: Glue is required (Not Included) during the assembly process. You will also need to provide your own 5V USB charging adapter, or you can power it by connecting to a power bank or computer.
Those awards show that industry concept work took place, but they do not identify a final provider for the accelerated 2030 goal. A separate NASA industry notice in 2025 described an intention to put a reactor on the Moon by the first quarter of fiscal year 2030 and announced an industry day at Glenn Research Center for September 9, 2025. That dated notice is not evidence of a current procurement award or a completed system.
What is China and Russia’s lunar reactor plan?
China and Russia’s International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) is a long-term lunar research infrastructure plan, not just a reactor project. The CNSA-Roscosmos joint framework describes a cooperative station with surface and/or orbital elements, open to international partners and with the prospect of later human presence. Its scope includes capabilities such as energy, communications, navigation, transportation, and research.
Rank #4
- Plastic Model Kit-Assembly Required
- Glue and Paint sold separately
- Re-Issue from the Original 1960's Mold
A CNSA-hosted 2025 interview with China’s lunar exploration chief designer Wu Weiren gives a two-stage schedule: a basic ILRS configuration by 2035 and an expanded configuration by 2045. Those are station-phase targets; they are not, by themselves, reactor delivery dates.
Separately, a 2025 NASA directive says China and Russia had announced at least three times a joint effort to place a reactor on the Moon by the mid-2030s. That mid-2030s characterization should be attributed to NASA’s document. The publicly available CNSA-Roscosmos joint statement does not independently provide a detailed reactor design or confirm a reactor delivery date.
Best Value
- 1. Very cool illuminant arc reactor ornament lamp.
- 2. Night light, powerer by USB cord, variable brightness.
- 3. 1:1 arc reactor model with real effect.
- 4. Delicate design and details makes high quality effect.
- 5. Compared with the drive-by-wire one, the wireless remote control one has more amazing modes than always-on mode. We can make use of the remote controller to switch mode such as Beating Damage Mode and Slow Breathing Mode, whose key distinction is the flash frequency of lighting. What’s more, you can adjust the brightness and set up the gradient mode.
How do the announced plans compare?
| Comparison | U.S. NASA-DOE effort | China-Russia ILRS |
|---|---|---|
| Stated milestone | NASA and DOE announced a goal to develop a lunar surface reactor by 2030 on January 13, 2026. NASA’s program page describes a 40-kilowatt-class system for the early 2030s. | CNSA’s 2025 account gives 2035 for the basic ILRS and 2045 for its expanded configuration. A 2025 NASA directive characterizes China-Russia reactor announcements as targeting the mid-2030s. |
| Scope | A fission surface power system, with relevance to later Mars missions, according to NASA’s program description. | A broader research infrastructure plan with multiple station capabilities and possible surface and orbital elements, as described in the CNSA-Roscosmos framework. |
| Evidence of development activity | NASA’s 2023 update reports three $5 million concept-design contracts awarded in 2022; NASA also reported industry engagement in a 2025 notice. | The available CNSA-Roscosmos material describes a bilateral framework and phased station planning; a detailed reactor design is not stated in that joint statement. |
| Confirmed reactor on the Moon | Not reported by the cited NASA and DOE announcements or program updates. | Not reported by the cited CNSA-Roscosmos material or NASA directive. |
The comparison is between announced objectives and planning milestones, not confirmed delivery schedules. It also compares unlike scopes: the U.S. statements focus on a fission power system, while ILRS is an infrastructure program whose station dates should not be mistaken for reactor dates.
Is a lunar nuclear reactor already being built?
The cited announcements and program descriptions report goals, concept-design work, and planning—not a deployed reactor on the Moon. They do not establish a completed flight design or a final commercial selection for NASA’s accelerated effort, nor do they confirm a launch date. The public CNSA-Roscosmos framework likewise does not establish completed lunar reactor hardware.
That is why “race” is best understood as shorthand for a comparison of national plans and target dates. It does not mean either program has demonstrated a working lunar reactor.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteQuick Recap
What to watch for next
- A U.S. system selection: NASA’s earlier concept contracts do not settle which team, if any, will provide hardware for the accelerated goal.
- A defined mission schedule: A development goal or target date is not the same as an approved launch date. Watch for official program milestones that specify design, testing, and flight plans.
- More detailed ILRS reactor documentation: The station’s 2035 and 2045 phase targets are not reactor delivery milestones; more specific public technical or program documents would be needed to establish those.
- Mission-specific power requirements: Final site and operating plans matter because solar and fission choices depend on location and the duration and energy needs of the mission.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
