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.

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."

NASA's acting administrator, Sean Duffy, plans to accelerate the construction of a nuclear reactor that could be used on the moon and alter the way NASA will partner with industry to replace the aging International Space Station.