A new NASA directive seeks to place a nuclear reactor on the Moon before possible attempts by Russia and China The US is accelerating plans to build a nuclear reactor on the Moon, according to Politico. NASA officials have reportedly been ordered to step up efforts to outpace Russia and China in a new space race. A directive from acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy calls for the development of a 100-kilowatt fission reactor capable of operating on the Moon by 2030, Politico reported on Monday.