在白宫公告中，美国表示 NASA 将与 Department of Defense（DoD）及 Department of Energy（DOE）合作，在轨道和月球表面部署核反应炉。此举继承 NASA 在 Artemis II 成功往返月球后的能力进展。美国白宫的 Office of Science and Technology Policy（OSTP）于 2026 年 4 月 15 日在 X 上公布新核空间跨部门指引，作为建立未来年度太空核技术路线图的一部分，目标在于维持美国的 space superiority。

根据 2026 年 4 月 14 日的备忘录，目标是 2028 年在轨道部署一具中功率核反应炉，并配备核电推进版本；并在 2030 年以前部署第一个可运行的月面大型核反应炉。NASA 与 DoD 将并行开发关键能源技术，采用承包商竞争模式。反应炉需具备模组化与可扩展特性，能同时支援未来月面生活和推进需求；DOE 需提供燃料、基础设施与安全保障，并评估产业是否能在五年内生产多达四具反应炉。

计划规范至少在轨道连续提供 20 kWe，持续三年，在月面持续五年，且设计应可提升至 100 kWe；初步设计在一年内出炉。OSTP 亦被要求制定行动路线图，列出障碍并提出对策。OSTP 表示太空核能可提供月球、火星及更远任务所需的持续电力、热能与推进；这份备忘录同时置于美中在月球能源基础设施的科技竞争背景下。

The White House announced that NASA will work with the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Energy (DOE) to deploy nuclear reactors in orbit and on the Moon. This follows NASA's earlier achievement of human lunar return demonstrated by Artemis II. The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) published new cross-agency nuclear-space guidance on X on April 15, 2026, as part of setting a space-nuclear technology roadmap for coming years to preserve U.S. space superiority.

According to the April 14, 2026 memorandum, the goals are to place a medium-power reactor in orbit by 2028, including a variant for nuclear electric propulsion, and to deploy the first operational large lunar-surface reactor by 2030. NASA and DoD will develop key energy technologies in parallel through a contractor competition model. Reactors are required to be modular and scalable, supporting future lunar habitation and propulsion; DOE must provide fuel, infrastructure, and safety assurance, and assess whether industry can produce up to four reactors within five years.

The plan calls for baseline output of at least 20 kWe for three years in orbit and at least five years on the lunar surface, with designs scalable to 100 kWe, and initial designs due within one year. OSTP is also tasked with producing a roadmap that identifies obstacles and mitigation recommendations. OSTP frames nuclear power as essential for sustained electricity, heat, and propulsion for missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond, and the memorandum places this in the broader U.S.-China technological competition for lunar energy infrastructure.