Russia plans to build a nuclear power plant on the moon by 2036 to support its lunar space program and a joint research station with China. This initiative comes as Russia aims to regain its status in space exploration, following a setback with the Luna-25 mission in August 2023. Although it has not confirmed the power plant will be nuclear, Russia’s space agency, Roscosmos, is working with its state nuclear corporation and its leading nuclear research institute.
The power plant’s main goal is to provide energy for various lunar projects, including rovers and observatories, and to facilitate long-term lunar exploration instead of short missions. The head of Roscosmos has stated that exploring Venus is also a priority for the agency.
The U. S. is also pursuing similar plans, with NASA intending to establish a nuclear reactor on the moon by early 2030. U. S. officials recognize the need for energy to sustain a moon base and to support missions to Mars, citing the competitive race to the moon, particularly against China.
While international rules prohibit nuclear weapons in space, there are no restrictions on launching nuclear energy sources as long as they follow specific guidelines. Analysts expect a potential lunar gold rush due to the presence of Helium-3 and valuable rare earth metals on the moon, which are essential for advanced technologies.
With information from Reuters
