NASA Explores Nuclear Power for Mars and Moon Missions
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman visited the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to discuss plans for incorporating nuclear power into space exploration. NASA aims to launch the Space Reactor-1 Freedom (SR-1) to Mars by December 2028 using fission power and deploy a…
Salt Lake City, UT, August 7, 2026 —
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman recently visited the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to explore the integration of nuclear power into future space exploration endeavors. The agency has outlined ambitious plans that include launching a fission-powered system to Mars and deploying a compact nuclear reactor on the moon.
The initiative, detailed during Isaacman’s visit to INL, aims to send the Space Reactor-1 Freedom (SR-1) to Mars with a target launch date of December 2028. This mission would utilize nuclear fission to provide power for operations on the Red Planet.
Looking further ahead, NASA is planning to deploy a compact nuclear reactor to the moon by 2030. This deployment is intended to support the establishment and sustainability of a permanent human base on the lunar surface.
The agency’s strategic push into nuclear power for space missions involves collaboration with private nuclear energy developers. These partnerships are seen as crucial for achieving the technological advancements necessary for these complex objectives.
NASA leadership has drawn parallels between the current push for space nuclear power and the early development phases of the U.S. naval nuclear program, suggesting a foundational shift in how space missions will be powered and sustained in the future.
Story summarized from the original created by Eva Terry on www.deseret.com, see more information here.
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