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Lunar nuclear power development race

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2026-10-11 00:32 UTC → 2026-10-12 15:30 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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 ~~advance nuclear-powered spacecraft and lunar infrastructure, including~~ accelerate the development of nuclear technology, covering aspects from fuel production to launch integration. This partnership also targets the 2028 ~~goal~~ launch of ~~launching~~ ‘Space Reactor-1 Freedom’ to ~~transition~~ demonstrate nuclear electric propulsion ~~technology to operational use.~~ 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.

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