# Lunar nuclear power development race > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/lunar-nuclear-power-development-race > Updated: 2026-10-11T06:00:00.000Z. Sources: 14. Developments: 3. The United States, China, and Russia are competing to deploy nuclear reactors on the Moon to support permanent lunar bases and deep-space exploration. Nuclear power is viewed as essential for long-term habitation due to the limitations of solar energy during lunar nights and extreme temperature fluctuations at the lunar south pole. NASA is working toward the launch of ‘Lunar Reactor 1’ by December 2030, a system designed to provide approximately 20 kW of power for five years. To support this, NASA and the US Department of Energy have entered a memorandum of understanding to accelerate the development of nuclear technology, covering aspects from fuel production to launch integration. This partnership also targets the 2028 launch of ‘Space Reactor-1 Freedom’ to demonstrate nuclear electric propulsion during a mission toward Mars. Concurrently, Russia and China are collaborating on the ‘Selena project,’ which aims to deploy a 10 kW reactor with a ten-year lifespan by 2036. This competition is centered on the lunar south pole, where water ice is located. The race has prompted concerns regarding the potential spread of radioactive material from launch failures and the possibility that safety buffer zones around reactors could allow nations to claim de facto control over strategic, resource-rich landing sites. ## Claims - The Space Reactor-1 (SR-1) Freedom mission is targeted for a 2028 launch to test nuclear electric propulsion. (disputed by 3 sources) - The Space Reactor-1 (SR-1) Freedom mission will demonstrate nuclear electric propulsion in a mission to Mars called SkyFall. (disputed) - The Lunar Reactor-1 (LR-1) is intended to be ready for launch by 2030. (corroborated by 7 sources) - NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy signed a memorandum of understanding to accelerate space nuclear development. (corroborated by 4 sources) - NASA is entering a ‘Nuclear NASA-era’ to transform space exploration. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Russia and China plan to have a lunar reactor operational by 2036. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The inclusion of nuclear energy in the space race could increase the potential danger of geopolitical disputes. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Nuclear reactors are needed to provide continuous power during the lunar night, which lasts over two weeks. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-11: NASA and DOE partner to accelerate space nuclear power and propulsion NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy have signed an agreement to accelerate space nuclear technology, aiming for a lunar reactor by 2030 and nuclear propulsion testing by 2028 amid a race with Russia and चीन. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasa-and-us-department-of-energy-advance-lunar-nuclear-reactor-plans ### 2026-10-09: NASA and US Department of Energy partner on nuclear space technology NASA and the US Department of Energy have partnered to develop nuclear propulsion and lunar power systems, including a planned space reactor mission in 2028 to support deep space exploration. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasa-and-us-department-of-energy-partner-on-nuclear-space-technology ### 2026-10-07: US, China, and Russia race to deploy lunar nuclear reactors The US, China, and Russia are racing to deploy lunar nuclear reactors. NASA aims for a 2030 launch, while a Russian-Chinese partnership targets 2036 to power future lunar bases. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-china-and-russia-compete-for-lunar-nuclear-power-dominance --- Cite as: Lunar nuclear power development race. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/lunar-nuclear-power-development-race