The U.S. plans to send astronauts to circle the moon next year in the “next phase” of space exploration that ultimately will lead to lunar colonization and travel to Mars, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Tuesday.

During a press conference about the unleashing of American drone dominance, Duffy, who also serves as interim NASA administrator, was asked about the challenges of building a lunar nuclear reactor, which had been reported.

“This is not a new concept. This has been discussed under [President Donald] Trump I, under [former President Joe] Biden, but we are in the race, we are in a race to the moon, in a race with China to the moon; and to have a base on the moon, we need energy,” Duffy said. “And some of the key locations on the moon, we’re going to get solar power.”

Read more at Newsmax© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.