The interim administrator of NASA, Sean Duffy, is set to unveil expedited plans for the construction of a nuclear reactor on the Moon this week, marking the first significant move during his tenure, according to Politico.

Under the new directive, NASA intends to solicit proposals for the development of a 100-kilowatt nuclear reactor with a launch target of 2030. This is a considerable acceleration compared to previous plans for a 40-kilowatt reactor expected to be ready in the early 2030s.

"This is about winning the second space race," said an anonymous NASA employee.

This decision is tied to increasing competition with China, which plans to land its first astronaut on the Moon around the same timeframe. The directive notes that the first country to establish a reactor on the Moon could "declare a restricted access area, significantly limiting US capabilities."

The initiative aligns with the Trump administration's focus on human spaceflight. The White House has proposed a budget that boosts funding for piloted space missions for 2026, despite nearly a 50% cut in scientific mission funds.

Apart from the lunar reactor, Duffy has also issued a directive for the accelerated replacement of the International Space Station with commercial alternatives by 2030. NASA plans to contract with at least two companies within six months of the request for proposals.

The agency is expected to appoint a project manager and gather feedback from the industry within 60 days. This initiative signifies that NASA will continue to advance nuclear technologies even after the Pentagon's cancellation of a joint nuclear rocket engine program.