The plan for a nuclear reactor on the Moon in next five years

Nasa has confirmed plans to build a nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2030.

This would provide the US space agency with a continuous source of power on Earth's satellite.

It is part of the country's plans to build a permanent base for humans to live on the lunar surface, and would be a huge help for future Moon and Mars missions.

But what is nuclear power and why do scientists think it is the best way of creating electricity on the Moon? Keep reading to find out...

One day on the Moon is equivalent to four weeks on Earth - made up of two weeks of continual sunshine and two weeks of darkness.

This makes relying on solar power on the lunar surface very difficult.

Many scientists agree that nuclear power - which doesn't need sunlight and instead uses a process called nuclear fission - would be the best or only way to provide continuous power on the Moon.

Nasa say they are planning to develop the lunar reactor by 2030.

Nasa's Jared Isaacman explained: "America is committed to returning to the Moon, building the infrastructure to stay, and making the investments required for the next giant leap to Mars and beyond."

The US isn't the only country hoping to develop projects on the Moon in the near future.

Nations including China, Russia, India and Japan are also rushing to explore the lunar surface, with some planning permanent human bases there.

Nuclear power is produced through a process called nuclear fission.

All matter is made of atoms, but they are so tiny you need a powerful microscope to see them.

Nuclear fission happens when something even tinier - a neutron - smashes into an atom causing it to split, a chain reaction then occurs as more neutrons are released.

This process unleashes a huge amount of energy which can be used to power things.