Outgoing US president Donald Trump has issued an executive order that aims to help revitalise the country’s nuclear energy sector, reinvigorate its space exploration programme and develop energy options including small modular reactors and microreactors for national defence needs.

In the order, Mr Trump says the US government will coordinate its nuclear activities to apply the benefits of nuclear energy towards American technology supremacy, including the use of SMRs for national defence and space exploration.

The order says microreactors have the potential to increase energy flexibility and energy security at domestic military installations in remote locations. Mr Trump said that within 180 days the defence secretary will establish and implement a plan to demonstrate the energy flexibility capability and cost effectiveness of a microreactor at a domestic military installation.