In an ambitious move that underscores the growing collaboration in space exploration between Russia and China, the head of Roscosmos, Russia’s space agency, announced plans to install a nuclear reactor on the Moon within the next decade. According to a report by Russia-based TASS, Roscosmos CEO Yury Borisov revealed the project during his speech at the World Youth Festival, highlighting a significant step forward in lunar exploration.
The joint venture aims to deliver and mount a power reactor on the lunar surface between 2033 and 2035, in partnership with China. This groundbreaking initiative is expected to be automated, with Borisov indicating that the essential technological solutions for the mission are nearly ready.
This announcement follows the March 2021 memorandum of mutual understanding signed between Roscosmos and the China National Space Administration (CNSA), laying the groundwork for cooperation on the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS). The collaboration between the two space powers is set to enhance their capabilities in lunar research and exploration, marking a significant milestone in their space endeavors.
China’s ambitious plans for the lunar project involve three missions, named Chang’e 6, Chang’e 7, and Chang’e 8, aimed at testing the necessary technology for developing a roadmap to establish a robotic base on the Moon. This base is envisioned for conducting experiments and research remotely, with the initial lunar mission scheduled for 2026. The entire project is expected to reach completion by 2028.
The proposed installation of a nuclear reactor on the Moon represents a pivotal development in space technology, promising to provide a reliable power source for future lunar bases and expeditions. As Russia and China deepen their cooperation in space exploration, their joint efforts on the ILRS and the nuclear reactor project are set to open new frontiers in humanity’s quest to explore and utilize outer space.
