NASA is applying for proposals to be able to send a nuclear reactor to the Moon. The reason is because this is necessary for space exploration.

If this is implemented and it is efficient and reliable, the next step will be to send a nuclear reactor to Mars.

This is a way to produce continuous and abundant energy regardless of environmental conditions.

The reactor must be built on Earth and transported to the moon. It must be able to generate at least 40 KW of continuous electricity for ten years in the Moon environment. It will still have to run on a mobile unit to be moved to another location if needed.

It should be able to be transported from Earth in a tube four meters in diameter and six meters long. The maximum weight should not exceed 6,000 kg.

It is part of the program to create smaller and lighter reactors.

[Source: http://www.phys.org]