Russia’s space agency Roscosmos, in collaboration with the China National Space Administration (CNSA), is planning to build an automatic nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2035. The proposed reactor will be used to provide energy to a proposed lunar base jointly operated by the two countries.
Russia and China are planning to establish an unmanned nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2035
Russia and China plan to establish an unmanned nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2035 In 2021, Roscosmos and CNSA announced their intention to build a joint lunar base called the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), open to participation from all relevant countries and international partners. Roscosmos revealed that it is working with CNSA on the project to establish a power unit on the lunar surface.
Yury Borisov, the director of Roscosmos, stated that this challenging construction task will likely be carried out “automatically” without human presence and that the necessary technological solutions are “almost ready.” Roscosmos also plans to use nuclear-powered large rockets to transport cargo to the Moon.
Russia and China have different histories regarding lunar exploration. Russia’s first lunar mission, Luna-25, failed when it crashed into the lunar surface. In contrast, China has had a presence on the Moon since 2013. The Chang’e 3, 4, and 5 missions successfully landed on the Moon, with Chang’e 5 successfully returning lunar samples to Earth.
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The size or shape of the nuclear reactor planned by Russia and China for the Moon is still unclear. A nuclear reactor or similar reliable power source will be necessary to meet the energy needs of the lunar base, as it seems unlikely that solar panels will generate and store sufficient energy.
Last year, scientists in the UK presented a compact lunar nuclear reactor design considered for NASA’s future missions. This joint initiative by Russia and China is seen as a significant step in the future of lunar exploration and international collaboration in space research.
The establishment of an unmanned nuclear reactor could be critical for the long-term exploration and utilization of the Moon. What new opportunities and challenges will arise in space exploration from this joint lunar project by Russia and China? We eagerly await your thoughts on this matter…
