NASA announces 'near‑impossible' space plans, including $20B moon base and humanity's first nuclear-powered interplanetary spacecraft

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced ambitious plans to accelerate lunar activities, including building a $20 billion moon base and launching humanity's first nuclear-powered interplanetary spacecraft by 2028. The agency is pausing work on the planned lunar Gateway space station to redirect resources toward establishing a permanent lunar presence through two crewed landing missions in 2028 alone. NASA is rushing to compete with China's lunar ambitions and return Americans to the moon before the end of President Trump's current term.