Russia and China propose lunar nuclear power plant construction by 2035, potentially outpacing U.S. plans.
China and Russia have announced plans to install a nuclear power plant on the moon by 2035 as part of the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), a joint lunar outpost near the south pole aimed at conducting fundamental space research and testing technology for long-term uncrewed and potentially human operations.
The agreement, signed earlier this month by Russia's space agency Roscosmos and the China National Space Administration (CNSA), represents a significant expansion of the two nations' partnership in space exploration. The Russian-made nuclear reactor will serve as the energy hub for the moon base.
In a statement on May 8, Roscosmos revealed that the station will utilize the reactor's energy to power research instruments, heating systems, communication networks, and rovers exploring the lunar terrain. The reactor's construction will be autonomous, without human intervention on the lunar surface, according to Russian officials.
The ILRS, first discussed in 2017, has since gained momentum, particularly after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 isolated it from many Western space partnerships, making China an increasingly critical partner. The station has attracted the participation of 17 countries, including Egypt, Pakistan, Venezuela, Thailand, and South Africa.
China's Chang'e-8 mission, which is due to launch in 2028, will serve as the foundation for the ILRS, including China's first crewed lunar landing. Fifth heavy-lift rocket launches between 2030 and 2035 will transport components to the moon for the buildup of the lunar base. By 2036, the nuclear power plant and the ILRS are targeted to be completed and operational, establishing a permanent, manned lunar research base on the moon's south pole.
The potential of the nuclear power plant on the moon comes as energy is a major challenge for living and working on lunar surfaces, where sunlight is not always available, especially near craters where permanent shadows might hide water ice. Batteries and solar panels may not provide enough energy for long-term operation.
NASA is still planning to land astronauts on the moon before China, with Artemis III expected to launch in 2027 at the earliest. However, the NASA's Gateway lunar space station's funding and timeline have faced uncertainties, making China and Russia's ambitious plans for the ILRS increasingly competitive.
If successful, the first nuclear reactor deployed on another celestial body will power not only research instruments but also heating systems, communication networks, and rovers exploring the moon's icy terrain. The ILRS, with its nuclear power plant, will become a significant step toward establishing a permanent human presence beyond Earth and a strategic asset for space exploration and resource extraction.
- The International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) is set to incorporate a Russian-made nuclear power plant on the moon, serving as an energy hub for the moon base by 2036.
- The nuclear reactor's energy will be used to power research instruments, heating systems, communication networks, and rovers exploring the lunar terrain, making it a crucial component of the ILRS.
- The ILRS, a joint lunar outpost near the south pole, aims to conduct fundamental space research and test technology for long-term uncrewed and potentially human operations.
- The potential benefits of the nuclear power plant extend beyond just powering the research station, as it could also aid in exploring the moon's icy terrain for resources.
- As plans for the ILRS progress, it represents a significant step toward establishing a permanent human presence beyond Earth and a strategic asset for space exploration and resource extraction.
