Key Points:
- Russia’s state space corporation, Roscosmos, has officially signed a contract to develop a nuclear power plant on the moon by 2036.
- The facility will serve as the energy backbone for the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), a joint venture between Russia and China.
- The project aims to restore Russia’s status as a leading space power following the failure of the Luna-25 mission in 2023 and increasing competition from the U.S. and private firms.
The race for the moon is no longer just about landing, it is about staying. Russia has unveiled plans to install a nuclear power plant on the moon within the next decade.
The initiative, spearheaded by the state space corporation Roscosmos, aims to provide a continuous and reliable energy source for a new era of lunar colonization.
According to a press release , Roscosmos has formalised the commitment by signing a contract with the Lavochkin Association, a leading aerospace company.
The project, slated for completion by 2036, is designed to support the infrastructure of the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), a collaborative effort between Moscow and Beijing.
Building a Permanent Presence
For decades, solar power has been the primary energy source for space missions. However, the moon presents a unique challenge: a single lunar night lasts approximately 14 Earth days, leaving solar-powered equipment in the dark and cold for extended periods.
A nuclear power plant on the moon offers a solution to this “lunar night” problem, providing high-density, weather-independent energy.
“The project is an important step towards the creation of a permanently functioning scientific lunar station and the transition from one-time missions to a long-term lunar exploration program,” Roscosmos stated.
The agency confirmed that the plant will power critical assets, including autonomous rovers, a lunar observatory, and the foundational infrastructure of the joint Russian-Chinese station.
The Collaboration and Competition
While Roscosmos is leading the aerospace engineering side, the project is a multi-agency effort.
Reports from Interfax indicate that the Russian state nuclear corporation, Rosatom, and the Kurchatov Institute, Russia’s premier nuclear research facility, are central to the development of the power unit.
This move comes at a critical time for Russia’s space program. Since Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space in 1961, Russia has prided itself as a leading power in space exploration.
However, in recent decades, it has fallen behind the United States and increasingly China.
The pressure intensified in August 2023 when Russia’s unmanned Luna-25 mission smashed into the lunar surface during a landing attempt. Meanwhile, private enterprises like Elon Musk’s SpaceX have revolutionized the launch industry, once a Russian specialty. By proposing a nuclear power plant on the moon, Russia seeks to reclaim its technical edge and secure its role in the future “lunar economy.”
Strategic Implications for Rivals
The announcement has not gone unnoticed by global rivals. The United States, through NASA’s Artemis program, is also exploring fission surface power to sustain its own lunar bases. This parallel development suggests that a nuclear power plant on the moon will be the standard for any nation seeking a permanent presence.
However, the Russia-China alliance poses a significant strategic challenge to the U.S.-led Artemis Accords. By pooling resources, Moscow and Beijing are creating a formidable alternative to Western space dominance. As reported by The Moscow Times, Roscosmos chief Dmitry Bakanov emphasized that these “grandiose goals” are the foundation for future economic growth and high-tech sovereignty.
What Lies Ahead
Building a reactor on Earth is complex; building one on the moon is unprecedented. The mission requires overcoming extreme temperature swings, radiation, and the logistical nightmare of transporting heavy shielding across 384,400 kilometers.
According to Interfax, the current contract with Lavochkin covers the 2025–2026 period, focusing on the initial development of the spacecraft and ground-based trials.
The success of this mission would represent a “qualitatively new step,” according to Alexei Matushansky, Russia’s Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade. It would transform the moon from a destination for brief visits into a secondary base for humanity’s expansion into deep space.
