China and Russia Plan to Build Nuclear Plant on the Moon for Lunar Station Power

China and Russia are collaborating on an ambitious plan to build a nuclear plant on the moon to power the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) by 2035. The announcement, made by a senior Chinese official during a presentation in Shanghai, highlights the growing space cooperation between the two nations. The ILRS project aims to rival NASA’s Artemis program, which intends to return U.S. astronauts to the lunar surface by December 2025.

China, which is focused on becoming a major space power, plans to land astronauts on the moon by 2030. The Chang’e-8 mission, scheduled for 2028, will lay the groundwork for the construction of a permanent lunar base. The ILRS’s energy needs could be met through large-scale solar arrays, along with pipelines and cables for heating and electricity, which will be constructed on the moon’s surface.

Roscosmos, Russia's space agency, confirmed last year that it intends to build a nuclear reactor with the China National Space Administration (CNSA) to power the ILRS by 2035. The inclusion of this nuclear power unit in a presentation at the ILRS conference suggests that China is in favor of the idea, though no formal announcement has been made.

Wu Weiren, chief designer of China’s lunar exploration program, emphasized the advantage Russia has in nuclear technology, especially in space. "Russia leads the world in space-based nuclear power plants," Wu said, expressing hope that both countries could successfully send a nuclear reactor to the moon.

China’s timeline for the lunar base, particularly at the moon's south pole, is in direct competition with NASA’s Artemis program. While NASA aims to return astronauts to the moon by late 2025, China and Russia plan to establish a permanent research station by 2035. As part of this, China plans to create the "555 Project," which will invite 50 countries, 500 research institutions, and 5,000 overseas scientists to participate in lunar exploration.

The collaboration between Russia and China has been strengthened by geopolitical tensions, particularly with the West. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the partnership has become even more significant, with both nations facing technological and trade challenges due to Western sanctions. China's rapid advancements in space technology are expected to support Russia’s space ambitions, alleviating the pressure caused by sanctions and helping the two countries achieve new breakthroughs in lunar exploration and satellite launches.

The proposed nuclear reactor on the moon is a key element of this growing collaboration, which could significantly enhance global space exploration capabilities.