New Delhi, Aug. 6 -- Interim NASA Administrator and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy will announce expedited plans to build a nuclear reactor on the Moon, marking his first major policy move at NASA, Politico reported, citing internal documents.

While NASA has long discussed the potential of nuclear energy on the lunar surface, Duffy's plan sets a definitive timeline for a 100-kilowatt nuclear reactor to be operational by 2030, according to documents obtained by Politico. Previously, NASA had funded work on a smaller 40-kilowatt system.

The directive, set to be released this week, orders the space agency to solicit proposals from the private sector and designate a project leader within 60 days. The push comes amid growing concerns ab...