NASA is accelerating efforts to build a 100-kilowatt nuclear fission reactor on the Moon by 2030 as part of the Artemis program. Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy emphasized the urgency to establish a sustainable power source on the lunar surface ahead of rival nations China and Russia, aiming to secure U.S. dominance in the evolving space race. The reactor is intended to provide continuous energy, critical for supporting permanent lunar bases, especially during the 14-day lunar night when solar power is unavailable. While the plan has garnered industry support and boosted nuclear-related stocks, it also raises legal and ethical questions regarding space territorial claims and the deployment of nuclear technology beyond Earth. Experts note the ambitious nature of the project given the challenges of nuclear energy development on Earth. The initiative reflects a strategic shift from merely landing on the Moon to building infrastructure there, marking a new phase in space exploration.