NASA announced plans to build a nuclear reactor on the moon on Tuesday, in an attempt to stay ahead of China and Russia in a new space race. The goal is to have the reactor built before 2030, a timeline set during the Biden administration.

Placing an atomic energy source on the lunar surface is “not science fiction,” experts say, but does pose technical challenges.

NASA plans to build a nuclear power plant on the moon by the 2030s to support long-term human exploration. The project aims to address power needs during lunar nights and provide high-power energy for lunar and Mars surfaces.