The United States’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) plans to build a nuclear reactor on the surface of the Moon, its head Sean Duffy said, confirming news reports on the matter, reported German Press Agency (dpa).

"We're in a race to the moon, in a race with China to the moon. And to have a base on the moon, we need energy," said Duffy, who is also acting as US transportation secretary.