China and Russia to build power plant on the Moon

China and Russia are planning to build a nuclear reactor for the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) to help prepare the base for permanent settlement by 2030.

Model of China's Tiangong space station. Photo: Future Publishing .

According to Reuters , China is considering building a nuclear power plant on the Moon to provide energy for the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS). This is a project that the country cooperates with Russia.

In addition, in a presentation in Shanghai, Pei Zhaoyu, chief engineer of the Chang'e 8 mission scheduled to launch in 2028, added that the lunar base's energy supply could depend on large-scale solar panels, and pipes and cables for heating and power supply.

China aims to become a space power and send astronauts to the Moon by 2030. The Chang'e 8 mission is expected to lay the foundation for building a permanent base by 2030.

Previously, the Russian space agency Roscosmos said in 2024 that it planned to build a nuclear reactor on the lunar surface with the China National Space Administration (CNSA) by 2035 to provide energy for the ILRS.

“A key question for ILRS is the power supply, and in this regard Russia has a natural advantage. When it comes to nuclear power plants, especially putting them into space, they are the world leader, even ahead of the US,” explained Wu Weiren, chief designer of China’s lunar exploration program.

Countries operating on the Moon rely on the US-drafted Artemis Accords, a set of non-legally binding principles to regulate activities on the Moon, Mars, and more. The initiative is the foundation for NASA's efforts to send astronauts to the Moon this decade and begin mineral mining operations there.

Source: https://znews.vn/trung-quoc-cung-nga-xay-nha-may-dien-tren-mat-trang-post1548795.html