Trump signs lunar decree! Americans will return to the Moon in 2028 and build nuclear power plants by 2030.

On December 18th, local time, the White House issued a statement stating that Trump signed an executive order that day to establish a vision for the “America First” space policy, ensuring that the United States “leads the world” in space exploration, security, and commercial sectors. The order mandates Americans to return to the Moon by 2028 and to establish the initial facilities for a permanent lunar outpost before 2030, including directives to deploy nuclear reactors on the Moon and in orbit.

The Radical Timeline for 2028 Moon Landing and 2030 Nuclear Plant

The executive order signed by Trump sets an extremely aggressive timeline. Returning to the Moon in 2028 means only 3 years remain, whereas the Apollo program took 8 years from President Kennedy’s announcement to Armstrong’s moon landing. Although current technology is more advanced, the complexity of lunar missions has not decreased, involving heavy-lift rocket development, lunar module design, astronaut training, and mission planning.

Establishing the initial facilities for a permanent lunar outpost before 2030 is an unprecedented challenge. This is not a short-term visit but the creation of a base capable of supporting long-term human habitation. The permanent outpost must address: life support systems (oxygen, water, food recycling), radiation protection (since the Moon lacks atmosphere and magnetic shielding), energy supply (which is where nuclear reactors play a key role), and communication and resupply links with Earth.

Deploying nuclear reactors on the Moon and in orbit is central to the entire plan. The extreme environment on the lunar surface makes solar power generation inefficient and unstable, with lunar nights lasting up to 14 Earth days during which solar energy is completely unavailable. Fission reactors can provide ample and continuous power, less affected by lunar environmental conditions. NASA has previously indicated collaboration with the Department of Energy and industry to develop a 40-kilowatt lunar surface nuclear fission system, with the timeline now accelerated to deploy a 100-kilowatt system by 2030.

Three Major Milestones of Trump’s Moon Plan

2028 Moon Landing: American astronauts will once again set foot on the lunar surface, 56 years after Apollo 17 (1972).

2030 Permanent Outpost: Establish initial facilities including habitation modules, laboratories, and life support systems to support long-term presence.

2030 Nuclear Reactor Deployment: Launch and deploy a 100-kilowatt nuclear fission power system to provide stable electricity for the outpost.

The order also requires replacing the International Space Station (ISS) before 2030. Construction of the ISS began in 1998, originally scheduled for decommissioning in 2024, but extended to 2030. Trump’s plan aims to stimulate private sector innovation and investment by upgrading launch infrastructure and developing commercial pathways, encouraging companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and others to take on more roles.

Sean Duffy Leads 60-Day Consultation with NASA

U.S. Secretary of Transportation and Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy will lead this initiative. According to leaked directives, accelerating the construction of nuclear reactors on the lunar surface will advance U.S. lunar exploration missions. The plan will set specific timelines for NASA’s previously conceived lunar nuclear reactor project, aiming to complete the launch and deployment of a 100-kilowatt nuclear reactor before 2030.

The directive requires NASA to seek industry input within 60 days and appoint responsible leaders to coordinate the project. This 60-day consultation is critical, as it will determine which companies are capable of participating in this multi-billion-dollar project. SpaceX, with its Starship heavy-lift rocket and Mars colonization vision, is the most likely contractor. Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket and lunar lander Blue Moon are also contenders. Traditional aerospace giants like Boeing and Lockheed Martin, though experienced, are less agile in innovation compared to startups.

Duffy stated on the 5th that, although solar power will play a role in some key lunar locations, nuclear fission technology is vital for future deep-space missions. The U.S. has already invested hundreds of millions of dollars in R&D in this field. NASA previously announced collaboration with the Department of Energy and industry to develop a 40-kilowatt lunar surface nuclear fission system, with plans to deploy on the Moon in the early 2030s. Now, this schedule has been significantly accelerated and scaled up.

The order directs the President’s Chief Science and Technology Advisor to coordinate national space policy efforts and instructs federal departments and agencies to jointly execute the order, including streamlining procurement processes, implementing related space security strategies, and ensuring adequate human resources to achieve these goals. Such cross-agency coordination is crucial for a project of this magnitude, involving NASA (space exploration), the Department of Energy (nuclear reactors), the Department of Defense (security strategies), and the Department of Commerce (commercial pathways).

A New Round of Space Race and Geopolitical Pressures

Analysts point out that accelerating the development of lunar nuclear systems aims to lay the energy foundation for future long-term crewed lunar and Mars exploration missions, while gaining an advantage in the new space race—primarily a competitive edge over China.

China has accelerated its space program over the past decade, achieving milestones such as the Chang’e lunar series, Tianwen-1 Mars probe, and Tiangong space station. China announced plans to achieve crewed lunar landing by 2030 and establish a scientific research station at the lunar south pole. This schedule overlaps significantly with Trump’s plan, indicating a substantial space race between the two nations.

The lunar south pole is a key focus. Permanently shadowed craters there may contain water ice, a valuable resource for lunar bases (which can be decomposed into hydrogen and oxygen for drinking water, breathing air, and rocket fuel). Whoever establishes a permanent base at the lunar south pole first will hold a strategic advantage in future deep-space exploration. China’s Chang’e 7 and Chang’e 8 missions target the lunar south pole, as does the U.S. Artemis program.

The strategic importance of nuclear reactors lies in energy independence. Relying on solar power on the Moon requires dormancy or energy storage during the lunar night. Nuclear reactors can provide 24/7 continuous power, supporting mining, manufacturing, scientific experiments, and communications. More importantly, countries mastering lunar nuclear technology will have a decisive advantage in future Mars missions, as Mars is farther from the Sun and solar efficiency is lower.

This order, by upgrading launch infrastructure and developing commercial pathways, aims to stimulate private sector innovation and investment. It reflects the Trump administration’s “government-led, enterprise execution” model. The government sets goals and timelines, provides funding and policy support, but private companies develop rockets, lunar modules, and nuclear reactors. This public-private partnership approach has been validated by SpaceX’s success, which is more efficient and cost-effective than traditional NASA internal development.

Indirectly, this grand space plan could impact the crypto market by requiring hundreds of billions of dollars in investment, potentially increasing federal debt and inflation pressures. Rising inflation could limit the Federal Reserve’s room to cut interest rates, which is unfavorable for risk assets like Bitcoin. Conversely, the commercialization of space industries might foster new payment and financing models, with blockchain technology potentially finding applications in space resource property rights and international settlement. More importantly, such large-scale national projects often boost overall market confidence and risk appetite, indirectly benefiting the crypto market.