In a groundbreaking development in space exploration, China and Russia have signed an agreement to construct a nuclear power plant on the Moon as part of their joint International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) initiative. The facility is expected to be completed by 2036, according to a report by Space.com.
The agreement outlines that a Russian-built nuclear reactor will supply energy to the ILRS, a collaborative lunar base project co-led by both countries. The announcement comes shortly after NASA proposed eliminating its planned lunar orbital outpost in its 2026 budget proposal, signaling shifting strategies among major space powers.
Autonomous Construction Without Human Presence
Yury Borisov, director general of the Russian space agency Roscosmos, revealed in a 2024 interview with Russian state media outlet TASS that the reactor will likely be built autonomously, without human presence on the lunar surface. While technical details remain limited, Borisov noted that the necessary technological capabilities are “almost ready.”
In a statement issued on May 8, Roscosmos highlighted the ILRS’s purpose:
“The station will conduct fundamental space research and test technologies for long-term uncrewed operations, with the potential for future human habitation.”
A Global Collaborative Effort
So far, 17 countries have joined the ILRS initiative, including Egypt, Pakistan, Venezuela, Thailand, and South Africa, indicating a growing international interest in lunar exploration beyond the traditional space powers.
The ILRS will be permanently situated at the Moon’s south pole, a region believed to contain water ice, making it a strategic location for sustainable exploration and habitation.
China’s Chang’e-8 mission, scheduled for 2028, is expected to lay the groundwork for this ambitious project. The mission will serve as China’s first crewed lunar landing, establishing critical infrastructure for the ILRS.
Between 2030 and 2035, China and Russia plan to launch five super heavy-lift rockets to deliver the core components of the robotic moon base.
