Nuclear reactors on the moon work in much the same way as reactors on Earth, according to Bhavya Lal, a former associate administrator for technology, policy and strategy at NASA. A controlled nuclear reaction in uranium fuel is used to generate heat that in turn can be used to make electricity.

Sean Duffy wants to fast-track putting a 100kw nuclear reactor on the moon, according to a directive he sent out Thursday. It would help win the "space race."

The Trump administration is pushing efforts to place a nuclear reactor on the moon to power a future human base. A newly revealed directive from acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy outlines a goal to launch the reactor by 2030, a timeline some scientists warn could be too ambitious due to high costs and technical challenges.