Oklo CEO: US Risks Ceding Space Energy Dominance to Russia and China in Nuclear Power Race

The race to power lunar bases and deep-space missions is accelerating, and the US risks falling behind strategic rivals in a contest that could define the future of space dominance. According to Oklo CEO Jake DeWitte, nuclear energy is emerging as the only viable long-term power solution for sustained operations beyond Earth, a reality that is driving rapid policy and development shifts in Washington.

DeWitte's comments to Bloomberg highlight a critical technological and geopolitical pivot point. The viability of nuclear power for space applications is no longer theoretical; it is becoming a foundational requirement for ambitious missions. This urgency is being fueled by US policy moves designed to accelerate domestic development, signaling a recognition that leadership in space-based energy is inseparable from broader strategic influence.

The core tension lies in the international competition. Rivals, specifically named as Russia and China, are advancing their own capabilities. Falling behind in this high-stakes arena doesn't just mean ceding a market—it could shape the long-term balance of power in space, determining who sets the operational standards and controls the critical infrastructure for the next frontier of human and robotic exploration.