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Witnesses tell Senate committee Gateway, cislunar infrastructure and space nuclear power are central to lunar leadership
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Summary
Industry and former NASA officials urged Congress to maintain funding for the Gateway lunar platform, build cislunar communications and domain awareness, and accelerate nuclear surface power to enable sustained operations and protect U.S. interests in cislunar space.
Witnesses before the Senate Commerce Committee said the Gateway lunar platform and supporting cislunar infrastructure are vital to sustaining long-duration lunar operations and protecting U.S. influence in lunar space. Michael Gold of Redwire emphasized the Gateway's role, saying "Without the funding and direction of the 1 big beautiful bill, this critical work would be in jeopardy." He described recent tests of large rollout solar arrays for the Gateway power and propulsion element and called Gateway "critical for projecting American power, not only in space, but here on Earth."
Former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and industry witnesses said Gateway extends lunar surface capability from short sorties to missions of 60–90 days, increases the payload and equipment that can be delivered, and provides a platform for international partners. Bridenstine said Gateway "will be America's eye in the sky in cislunar space, extending our lunar surface program by enabling longer missions, heavy equipment delivery, and protection of US assets."
Panelists also pressed for accelerated development of space nuclear power for sustained surface operations. Lieutenant General John Shaw and other witnesses argued a nuclear surface-power capability is a key enabler for living off local resources and for advanced capabilities on the lunar surface. Gold described a Redwire project called Mason, intended to use microwaves to sinter regolith for landing pads and roads; he and other witnesses said Gateway and surface infrastructure would encourage international investments and commercial entry.
Why it matters: Testimony framed Gateway and cislunar systems as both strategic and economic infrastructure. Witnesses warned that turning away now would "squander" international investment and suggested keeping Gateway on schedule would unlock further contributions from partners.
The witnesses urged congressional action to preserve Gateway funding and to support coordinated investments in cislunar communications, domain awareness, and surface power in order to retain U.S. leverage over rules, resources and long-term partnerships.
