NASA and Energy Department sign agreement on space nuclear power and propulsion
NASA and the Department of Energy signed a memorandum on 8 October to collaborate on space nuclear technologies.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and Energy Secretary Chris Wright signed a Memorandum of Understanding on space nuclear power and propulsion on 8 October 2026. The signing took place at the Golden Age Summit at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace in Washington.
The agreement, titled "Accelerating American Leadership in Space Nuclear Power and Propulsion", establishes a framework for end-to-end collaboration between NASA and the Department of Energy on next-generation nuclear technologies for space. Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, looked on.
"Nuclear power will allow us to go farther, operate longer, and field more capable spacecraft and instruments than ever before," Isaacman said. He added that the work is "laying the foundation for the fission-powered spacecraft of tomorrow."
Sourcenasa.gov