diff --git a/code/game/gamemodes/nuclear/nuclear_challenge.dm b/code/game/gamemodes/nuclear/nuclear_challenge.dm
index 8fbeb2d9690..7e75f579bf5 100644
--- a/code/game/gamemodes/nuclear/nuclear_challenge.dm
+++ b/code/game/gamemodes/nuclear/nuclear_challenge.dm
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 #define CHALLENGE_SCALE_PLAYER 1 // How many player per scaling bonus
 #define CHALLENGE_SCALE_BONUS 2 // How many TC per scaling bonus
 #define CHALLENGE_MIN_PLAYERS 50
-#define CHALLENGE_SHUTTLE_DELAY 15000 //25 minutes, so the ops have at least 5 minutes before the shuttle is callable.
+#define CHALLENGE_SHUTTLE_DELAY 18000 //30 minutes, so the ops have at least 10 minutes before the shuttle is callable. Gives the nuke ops at least 15 minutes before shuttle arrive.
 
 /obj/item/nuclear_challenge
 	name = "Declaration of War (Challenge Mode)"