Russia has announced ambitious plans to build a nuclear power plant on the moon by 2036 to support its lunar space program and a joint Russian-Chinese research station, as global powers intensify efforts to explore Earth’s only natural satellite, Reuters reports.
The Russian state space agency, Roscosmos, signed a contract with the Lavochkin Association aerospace company to develop the project, which aims to provide energy for lunar rovers, an observatory, and the infrastructure of the planned International Lunar Research Station. Roscosmos described the initiative as a critical step toward establishing a permanently functioning scientific station on the moon and transitioning from one-time missions to sustained lunar exploration.
While Roscosmos did not explicitly confirm that the plant would be nuclear, the project involves the Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom and the Kurchatov Institute, the country’s leading nuclear research body. Dmitry Bakanov, head of Roscosmos, previously stated that one of the agency’s goals includes both a lunar nuclear power plant and exploration of Venus.
Russia’s lunar ambitions have faced recent setbacks, including the failed Luna-25 mission in August 2023, which crashed during its landing attempt. The country also faces competition from the United States and China, which have advanced rapidly in space exploration and commercial launches.
The moon, located approximately 384,400 kilometers (238,855 miles) from Earth, plays a critical role in stabilizing the planet’s axis and generating ocean tides. Analysts note that the planned power plant could position Russia as a more influential player in long-term lunar research and international space collaboration.
