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Alba Mora
WriterAn established tech journalist, I entered the world of consumer tech by chance in 2018. In my writing and translating career, I've also covered a diverse range of topics, including entertainment, travel, science, and the economy.
Former Russian deputy defense minister Yury Borisov is currently the head of Roscosmos, Russia’s space agency. In March 2024, he confirmed that Russia and China plan to install a nuclear reactor on the Moon. Russia has extensive experience developing nuclear infrastructure. Despite being a newer player in this field, China possesses the scientific expertise and resources necessary for success.
The goal is to complete the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) by 2035, which will be jointly operated by Russia and China. Establishing a stable and sustained energy source remains crucial to ensure the effective operation of this facility. The two nations intend to build a small nuclear power plant on the lunar surface to address this need.
The Chang’e-8 Mission Will Kick Off in 2028
Pei Zhaoyu, chief engineer of the Chang’e-8 mission, recently confirmed the significance of Russia’s participation in the project. “An important question for the ILRS is power supply. In this, Russia has a natural advantage. When it comes to nuclear power plants, especially sending them into space, it leads the world,” Pei said.
The International Lunar Research Station is set to be permanently inhabited starting in 2030.
China plans to launch the mission in 2028 with two main goals. First, it aims to start preparations for a lunar base that will be permanently inhabited by 2030. Second, the Asian nation wants to explore the idea of constructing a nuclear reactor to provide the station’s primary energy supply.
Both facilities are expected to be completed by 2035. Interestingly, the Chinese government hasn’t officially approved this plan yet. However, Pei’s recent statements indicate that Russian-Chinese collaboration is already underway.
Chinese nuclear scientists have a preliminary design for the nuclear reactor that incorporates innovative features. This design draws inspiration from NASA’s concepts and the old Soviet TOPAZ-II nuclear reactor. The proposal includes ring-shaped uranium dioxide fuel rods and a dual cooling system using liquid metal to maintain the reactor core temperature below 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit. The nuclear reactor will also use a yttrium hydride neutron moderator, which Chinese technicians claim is more efficient than conventional zirconium hydride moderators.
Meanwhile, the U.S. is preparing for its return to the Moon through NASA’s Artemis program. This initiative aims to land two astronauts on the lunar surface by 2027 and use this milestone to construct a sustainable moon base. The base will feature large solar panels. However, photovoltaic energy alone won’t be enough because lunar nights last between 14 and 15 Earth days. As such, the U.S. is also developing a nuclear reactor called Fission Surface Power, which will deliver 40 kW of power.
Images | Stephen Walker | China National Space Administration
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