President Donald Trump has directed NASA to expedite plans for a nuclear reactor on the moon, aiming to outpace China and Russia in what he calls the “second space race.” The initiative, led by interim NASA Administrator Sean Duffy, orders the agency to solicit industry proposals for a 100-kilowatt reactor to be launched by 2030, a significant step to power lunar bases and support long-term human presence. On August 4, Duffy issued a directive to fast-track the reactor’s development, citing the need to secure U.S. dominance in space. The reactor, an upgrade from NASA’s earlier 40-kilowatt plans, would provide enough power for about 80 U.S. households, critical for sustaining lunar operations during the moon’s two-week-long nights when solar panels are...