NASA and the Department of Energy have formalized a partnership to work on nuclear technology for space. At a signing ceremony, NASA administrator Jared Isaacman and Energy Secretary Chris Wright signed a memorandum of understanding. Isaacman called it the beginning of a "Nuclear NASA-era," saying nuclear power would let the agency go farther and operate longer.
The agreement covers research, fuel production, testing, launch integration, and operations. NASA's immediate goals include Space Reactor-1 (SR-1), a fission reactor meant to produce over 20 kilowatts for the spacecraft Freedom, which is slated to launch to Mars in December 2028. The agency also plans Lunar Reactor-1 (LR-1) to power a Moon base, with a target launch by 2030.
However, NASA has provided little public evidence that these projects are on track, beyond a general statement of steady progress on LR-1. The Government Accountability Office has repeatedly warned that NASA's timelines are optimistic and vulnerable to delays. Workforce reductions and past mission slips, including changes to Artemis III, add further uncertainty.