NASA is fast-tracking plans to build a nuclear reactor on the Moon as part of its broader strategy to maintain American superiority in space exploration. Acting NASA administrator Sean Duffy emphasized the urgency of the project, stating that the U.S. needs to establish a presence on the Moon before other nations, particularly China and Russia, can enhance their lunar capabilities. The initiative has garnered attention from notable figures like Neil deGrasse Tyson, who has expressed interest in the implications of nuclear power in space. With aspirations set for completion by 2030, the push for a Moon-based reactor is characterized not just as a scientific endeavor but also as a strategic move in what some are dubbing the new space race. Stocks of nuclear technology companies are reportedly rising in response to governmental support for this initiative.