NASA and the US Department of Energy have signed an agreement to develop nuclear power and propulsion for space missions. The memorandum was signed on October 8.

The deal, titled Accelerating American Leadership in Space Nuclear Power and Propulsion, covers research, fuel production, testing, launch integration and operations. It takes effect on November 1.

It was signed during the Golden Age Summit hosted by the White House science office in Washington. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said the work lays groundwork for fission-powered spacecraft of tomorrow.

The plan supports a launch-ready lunar surface reactor by 2030, directed by a December 2025 executive order. NASA's Space Reactor-1 Freedom mission is set for 2028, with Lunar Reactor-1 planned for moon infrastructure.

Nuclear power would run lunar habitats, communications, rovers and resource use. It is also seen as key for future Mars missions, where solar power alone falls short.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright linked the pact to an American nuclear renaissance. The agreement deepens existing NASA-DOE work on fission and radioisotope power systems.

Nuclear propulsion could cut travel times across the solar system. For a moon base that must survive two-week lunar nights, it may be the only practical option.