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Why We’re Putting Nuclear Reactors on the Moon

2025-08-21 Science & Technology
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StarTalk
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Lunar Power: NASA's Nuclear Push and the Race to the Moon

Learn why NASA is accelerating plans to place a 100-kilowatt nuclear reactor on the Moon and how this supports the Artemis base camp goals.

Short Summary

  • NASA is fast-tracking a fission power device using uranium to establish a sustainable presence on the Moon via the Artemis program.
  • Lunar power challenges (extreme temperature swings, two-week night) are best overcome by nuclear energy rather than relying solely on solar panels and batteries.
  • The presence of accessible water ice trapped in polar "cold traps" is crucial for long-term habitation, drinking water, and manufacturing rocket fuel (ISRU). This discussion covers the engineering rationale behind selecting nuclear power for the Moon over solar, the competitive context driving fast deployment, and the critical role of in-situ resource utilization for making the Moon a second home.

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Description

Go to https://ground.news/startalk to stay fully informed on the latest Space and Science news. Save 40% off through our link for unlimited access to the Vantage plan this month. Why are we putting nuclear reactors on the moon? Neil deGrasse Tyson breaks down NASA’s plan to put nuclear power on the moon and The Artemis Mission’s plan to establish a base there. Are we in a new space race? Timestamps: 00:00 - What’s Up With Nuclear Reactors on the Moon? 2:10 - The New Space Race 4:43 - Establishing a Base with the Artemis Program 8:58 - Why a Station on the Moon? 10:20 - Why We’re Targetting the South Pole Check out our second channel, @StarTalkPlus Get the NEW StarTalk book, 'To Infinity and Beyond: A Journey of Cosmic Discovery' on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3PL0NFn Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/startalkradio FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to StarTalk: Twitter: http://twitter.com/startalkradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startalk About StarTalk: Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up! #StarTalk #NeildeGrasseTyson

Top Comments (10)

@NoSacredCowFla 2025-08-21

I'm not convinced we're worthy of being a multi-planet species. We barely do continents.

1.7k 266 replies
@nealgray4071 2025-08-23

Terrible idea. The moon is made of cheese, a reactor will melt the whole thing and Earth will end up coated in a layer of fried cheese. Actually this is a great idea. God I'm hungry

1.1k 61 replies
@StarTalk 2025-08-21

If you could live and work on a moon base, would you?

562 342 replies
@christopherbaisley 2025-08-21

This was extremely interesting. I actually wish it was longer.🌎

244 8 replies
@nocapvisualz 2025-08-21

Minions! Tonight we take the moon!! 🌚

211 4 replies
@mericdrives 2025-08-23

Unbelieveable amount of high quality, precision information in just 15 minutes. Thank you Sir! Thank you StarTalk team!

97 4 replies
@KeelanJon 2025-08-23

Okay, well once we have the energy source set up on the moon, can we finally get a Celestial Observatory on the moon? It would awesome and incredibly inspiring.

93 4 replies
@Sprouty7 2025-08-22

Thank you for the video, I feel like I just took a science class, your descriptions of these topics are great, keep them coming.

18 2 replies
@NeverwascooL 2025-12-23

Being a scientist must be 30% research and 70% convincing politicians that this is the best way to project power over our rivals

14 1 replies
@JesseJamison-b7y 2026-01-04

We have to make sure that this doesn't violate any treaties.

4

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