The White House has released a detailed memorandum outlining the National Initiative for American Space Nuclear Power, establishing a coordinated effort across NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Department of War, and the Department of Energy to accelerate the deployment of nuclear power systems in space.
The strategy emphasizes near-term demonstrations in orbit and on the Moon, supported by public-private partnerships and competitive development programs.
The plan targets initial deployment of nuclear systems in orbit as early as 2028, alongside development of a lunar fission surface power (FSP) system ready for launch by 2030.
NASA will lead development of mid-power reactors capable of supporting both surface power and nuclear electric propulsion (NEP), with systems designed to deliver at least 20 kilowatts of electrical power. These early systems are intended to validate technology and enable sustained operations in cislunar space.
In parallel, the Department of War is expected to pursue a mission-enabling orbital reactor by 2031, while supporting NASA-led development in the early phases.
The broader strategy includes running multiple vendor competitions and leveraging existing programs to accelerate progress while reducing cost and technical risk.
A number of established and emerging companies are positioned to play roles in this effort. Firms such as BWXT and Lockheed Martin are already involved in programs like DARPA’s DRACO and AFRL’s JETSON, developing nuclear propulsion systems and reactor components for space applications .
Other participants in the broader nuclear ecosystem include Westinghouse Electric Company, General Atomics, and emerging players such as Zeno Power and Antares, all of which are contributing to microreactor, propulsion, or space power initiatives tied to government programs .
Looking further ahead, the initiative calls for development of higher-power systems in the 2030s, targeting at least 100 kilowatts of output to support more demanding missions such as sustained lunar infrastructure and deep space exploration.
These systems are expected to build on earlier demonstrations and incorporate scalable designs for both propulsion and surface power.
The memorandum emphasizes a whole-of-government approach, integrating national laboratories, private industry, and existing nuclear supply chains.
A detailed roadmap is expected within 90 days to address implementation challenges, including regulatory processes, infrastructure readiness, and supply chain capacity.
Read the full memorandum here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/NSTM-3-2026_04_14-corrected.pdf
