The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has announced a series of initiatives aligned with US President Donald Trump’s National Space Policy, with a major focus on developing nuclear power and propulsion for future missions.
In a statement released on March 24, 2026, NASA said it aims to strengthen American leadership in space by moving nuclear technologies from research stages into operational use. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman highlighted plans to shift away from conventional energy systems toward nuclear-based solutions.
As part of this effort, the agency plans to launch its first nuclear-powered interplanetary spacecraft, Space Reactor-1 Freedom to Mars, before 2028. The mission is expected to enable high-power exploration beyond Jupiter and support more advanced deep-space operations.
NASA also intends to deploy Ingenuity-class helicopters on Mars using the new spacecraft, enhancing its exploration capabilities on the Red Planet. The agency said the mission would help establish the use of nuclear systems in space, set regulatory and launch precedents, and support the development of future fission-based technologies for propulsion and long-duration missions.
To support these goals, NASA plans to recruit subject-matter experts and integrate them into its operations. The announcement follows the agency’s decision to abandon its Lunar Gateway project in favor of building a $20 billion base on the Moon’s surface.
