Researchers have successfully tested a new nuclear reactor in Nevada that could provide reliable energy for long-duration manned missions to the moon and to Mars.

Project leaders at a news conference Wednesday said the kilo-power fission reactor performed better than expected during a 28-hour, full-power test completed on March 21 at the Nevada National Security Site, about 85 miles northwest of Las Vegas.

The test marked the end of five months of work on the reactor in Nevada.