Trump: The United States Will Deploy a Nuclear Reactor on the Moon
The White House issued a statement on December 18, stating that President Trump signed an executive order to outline a grand vision for the "America First" space policy, calling for accelerated return to the moon and deployment of space nuclear energy systems, ensuring the United States leads globally in space exploration, security, and commercial fields.
The White House statement noted that the order requires the United States to return to the moon by 2028 and establish initial facilities for a permanent lunar outpost by 2030.
The order states: "Deploy nuclear reactors on the moon and in orbit, including lunar surface reactors ready for launch by 2030."
The order also emphasizes the importance of space security and economic interests: on one hand, it requires the United States to have the capability to detect, analyze, and respond to all-round security threats facing its space interests; on the other hand, by upgrading launch infrastructure and promoting commercial space development, it plans a commercial path to replace the International Space Station by 2030. The President's Science Advisor will coordinate the national space policy work, and federal departments and agencies must jointly implement the order requirements, including streamlining procurement processes, implementing relevant space security strategies, and ensuring appropriate personnel are in place to achieve these goals.
The White House stated that, in the face of "competitors challenging America's leadership in space," President Trump is fully committed to ensuring and defending America's major interests in space, from space, and to space.
During his first term, Trump issued seven groundbreaking "Space Policy Directives," which included directing the return of American astronauts to the moon, reforming the national commercial space regulatory framework, and establishing cybersecurity principles for space systems.
In August 2025, Trump signed an executive order to promote competition in the commercial space industry, ensuring the United States maintains a leading position in the commercial use of space.
The U.S. Senate approved billionaire Jared Isaacman as the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on December 17.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1851900253295616/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.