NASA prepares to solicit moon surface power, teases RTG-powered moon rover

[Marlin]

NASA prepares to solicit moon surface power, teases RTG-powered moon rover

https://www.ans.org/news/2026-07-01/article-8173/nasa-prepares-to-solicit-moon-surface-power-teases-rtgpowered-moon-rover/

[Core Content]

NASA plans to issue a solicitation this month for lunar surface power technologies to support long-term moon base operations. The agency is evaluating the use of radioisotope thermoelectric generators to power a proposed lunar rover, which would allow for continuous operation during the lunar night. This development highlights a shift toward nuclear power sources to overcome the limitations of solar-based systems in extreme lunar environments.

NASA has announced that it will release a solicitation related to lunar surface power this month and that it is considering sending a rover powered by a radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) to the moon.

In a press conference yesterday, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and NASA Moon Base Program Manager Carlos García-Galán discussed new award announcements to Astrobotic, Firefly Aerospace, and Intuitive machines to deliver NASA science payloads to the moon.

They also announced that the agency will be opening a new solicitation avenue for technology related to phase 1 of the moon base plan, with the first focus being surface power. García-Galán said the solicitation for ideas and proposals would open in July.

Read the full article at ans.org:
https://www.ans.org/news/2026-07-01/article-8173/nasa-prepares-to-solicit-moon-surface-power-teases-rtgpowered-moon-rover/