Core Viewpoint - NASA plans to deploy a 100-kilowatt nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2030 to maintain U.S. leadership in manned lunar exploration, but faces significant technical challenges [1] Group 1: Nuclear Reactor Deployment - The nuclear reactor is intended to provide a stable energy supply for lunar exploration, especially during the long lunar nights when solar power is ineffective [1] - The reactor's power has been increased from an initial 40 kilowatts to 100 kilowatts, which will significantly increase its size and weight, posing challenges for current spacecraft carrying capacity [1] Group 2: Resource Utilization - NASA aims to use the nuclear reactor to electrolyze water on the Moon to produce hydrogen and oxygen, reducing the need for materials brought from Earth and lowering costs [2] - The deployment location of the reactor must be near lunar water ice resources, but NASA currently lacks a comprehensive map of these resources [2] Group 3: Water Ice Exploration - Ongoing lunar exploration projects by NASA are expected to quickly provide information on the distribution of lunar water ice, aiding in resource assessment [3] - The VIPER rover, designed to sample and map lunar water resources, is ready but currently awaiting its mission due to project cancellations [3] Group 4: Safety and Structural Challenges - The reactor will require large heat dissipation surfaces due to the lack of effective heat transfer methods on the Moon, and must be reinforced against potential meteorite impacts [3] - The impact of landing spacecraft on nearby facilities must be considered, as the exhaust from landing engines can damage structures due to the abrasive lunar regolith [4] - Future lunar bases will need to establish dedicated launch sites, with careful planning of distances and positions relative to the nuclear reactor and other facilities [4]