Yuri Borisov, the head of Russia’s space agency Roscosmos, announced on Tuesday that Russia and China are exploring the possibility of installing a nuclear power plant on the moon between 2033 and 2035.
Borisov emphasized the collaborative efforts of both nations in a joint lunar program, highlighting Russia’s expertise in “nuclear space energy” as a valuable contribution. The proposed project aims to establish a power unit on the lunar surface, potentially paving the way for future lunar settlements.
Borisov explained that conventional solar panels might not suffice to generate the necessary electricity for lunar settlements, making nuclear power a more viable option. He stressed the need for the project to be executed autonomously, without human presence, considering it a significant challenge.
Additionally, Borisov revealed Russian plans to develop a nuclear-powered cargo spaceship. While technical aspects of the project have been resolved, the main challenge remains finding a solution for cooling the nuclear reactor.
Despite previous setbacks, including a failed moon mission last year, Russia expresses ambitious goals for lunar exploration, discussing plans for mining on the moon and potential joint Russian-China crewed missions, and even the establishment of a lunar base. China, in a separate initiative, aims to land its first astronaut on the moon before 2030.
Borisov dismissed recent claims by the United States about Russia planning to deploy nuclear weapons in space, characterizing them as false and a tactic to influence arms negotiations on Western terms.
