The US Department of Energy (DOE) and Nasa have renewed their commitment to a longstanding partnership to support the research and development of a fission surface power system for use on the Moon and future Nasa missions to Mars.

A joint statement on 13 January said a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between the agencies solidifies the collaboration and advances president Trump’s vision of US space superiority by deploying nuclear reactors on the Moon and in orbit. This will include the development of a lunar surface reactor by 2030.

The DOE and Nasa said they anticipate deploying a fission surface power system capable of producing safe, efficient and plentiful electrical power that will be able to operate for years without the need to refuel.