China plans to build a Nuclear Power Plant on the Moon
- Home
- China plans to build a Nuclear Power Plant on the Moon
China plans to build a Nuclear Power Plant on the Moon
China is advancing ambitious plans to install a nuclear power plant on the Moon as part of its collaboration with Russia on the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS). The project, set to be operational between 2033 and 2035, aims to provide energy for the future lunar base, complementing a proposed solar power facility.
The ILRS, a joint Sino-Russian initiative, will also focus on exploring the Moon’s mineral and water resources, with Russia playing a key role in resource prospecting. So far, 17 nations have joined the project, but China hopes to expand participation to 50 countries, with a particular emphasis on BRICS and Global South partners.
In 2023, the Russian space agency Roscosmos and the China National Space Administration (CNSA) finalized a detailed roadmap for the ILRS. The first phase will involve reconnaissance missions to identify an optimal base location, test precision landing systems, and collect lunar samples. Subsequent stages will include deploying orbital power and communication hubs, delivering cargo modules, and utilizing advanced robotics—such as mini-rovers and even a hopping robot for logistics and surface exploration.
The final phase will see the construction of permanent station modules to facilitate in-depth scientific research, technology demonstrations, and, ultimately, human missions to the Moon. This bold endeavor affirms China and Russia’s growing ambitions in space as they seek to establish a long-term presence on the lunar surface.
Read also: China launches 3 astronauts on a six-month space mission
- Share
