A space power project backed by public funds has hit a roadblock, slowing Britain’s plans to test nuclear energy on the lunar surface.
Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc has halted work on a proposed mini nuclear reactor for the Moon, according to a newspaper report. The project, supported by millions in government funding, was intended to prepare a nuclear micro-reactor for launch by 2029. It is now on hold due to a lack of suitable partners, the report said. The company remains open to restarting the program if partnerships are secured.
The initiative, supported by the UK Space Agency, was designed to study how nuclear power could support a future Moon base for astronauts. It has received £9 million ($12 million) in government funding. In March 2025, Rolls-Royce said it was in talks with potential partners for launch, landing services, and lunar transport.
Rolls-Royce did not respond immediately to a request for comment.
The pause comes as the US has renewed its push for nuclear energy research in space. In January, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said the country remains committed to returning to the Moon, building long-term infrastructure, and preparing for missions “to Mars and beyond.”
Nuclear power is seen as a strong candidate for long-term lunar missions because it can provide steady energy without relying on sunlight or stable temperatures. A surface reactor could allow astronauts to remain on the Moon for extended periods with continuous power supply.
Earlier, in March 2023, Rolls-Royce received £2.9 million from the UK Space Agency to explore how nuclear systems could support lunar bases. The company was working on 2 contracts with the agency. One focused on concept design, while the second covered product development, mainly from the US.
The Rolls-Royce project’s future now depends on whether new partners can be found to support launch and deployment efforts. Until then, the Moon reactor plan remains in standby mode.
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